How Are You Bent?

We had a fun discussion at the office this morning about things we did or said as kids that hinted at the occupation we’ve found ourselves in today.

Jake, our head graphic designer, recently found something he wrote as a youngster in which he claimed he would either become “an attorney or an artist, but probably an artist because he likes to draw more.”

In the early days of our marriage some 12 years ago, Brian and I habitually concocted entrepreneurial schemes. Looking back, we tended to focus heavily on branding and promoting our imaginary endeavors. Go figure.

Because of that inclination, I stand amazed sometimes at how oblivious some people are to sales and marketing techniques. I mean, it’s so simple… right?

A proclivity toward marketing is how Brian and I came to be where we are today, but if we’re not vigilant our bent could potentially hinder communication with clients who think differently.

Today, I challenge you to take a stab at determining your bent, and then make an effort to figure out how your customers bend differently. Altering your communication to accommodate a client’s perspective could make a world of difference in the relationship.

-Sarah, Emogen marketer

Have Plan, Will Grow

Some of you who jumped on the Emogen wagon back in the early days might agree that it’s a far cry today from the company it was then. But fear not… we meant for this to happen!

Emogen was at first "Emogen Printing" and Brian ran it solo as a printing brokerage with the assistance of a freelance designer. Realizing a need in the Ruston market for more complete marketing services, “the plan” was born.

The idea was to add specialized talent (i.e. me/Sarah + in-house designers) and grow into a full-service marketing company on a 5 year timeline. The first step was transitioning to “Emogen Printing and Marketing”, which would later be swapped around to be “Emogen Marketing and Printing” and finally end up “Emogen Marketing Group.”

The catch, we found, was that the market needed it sooner; so our timeline got scrapped, and here we are at 3 years old well beyond our 5 year plan.

But the well-advanced timeline doesn’t mean that we’re in unexpected territory without a map. On the contrary, we have simply revised and kept on.

Having an idea of what you’re doing, where you’re going and how you’re getting there is completely necessary; but the key is to treat your plan as a guide, not scripture. Everything changes: your staff and their talents, your customers, your industry, the world… it all changes.

So have a plan, yes; but be flexible enough to respond to the changes and opportunities that will certainly pop up.

Sarah, Emogen marketer