This year, 2010, is the year of the Tiger on the Chinese calendar. More specifically, 2010 is the year of the Metal Tiger.
According to ChineseZodiac.com, the Metal Tiger is:
Assertive, competitive and sharp, once Metal Tigers set their sights on their goals there’s no stopping them. They’ll always do what’s necessary to remain at the center of attention. Metal Tigers tend to jump to conclusions; a behavior they need to work at improving.
Your business would be wise to learn from these attributes of the Metal Tiger.
Attack Your Goals
Imagine what would happen if you actually accomplished all those New Year’s Resolutions you set. Your company probably also set goals for this new year that, if reached, would bring some success to your business.
Don’t leave your goals symbolically on your paper or in that Powerpoint presentation. Break down the steps that stand between you and your goal and get to work.
The tiger is unrelenting in attacking its goals and you should be likewise. Success will surely follow.
Center of Attention
The tiger likes to be the center of attention. Granted, while nobody likes a selfish company, your business needs to be ever present in your customer’s mind.
When a prospective or current customer thinks about the problem you solve, you need to be the first one that comes to mind to solve that problem for them.
The tiger has a solid marketing plan for communicating how it solves a customer’s problem. The tiger is also hanging around where customers are talking and is able to offer its expertise to help and assist others.
Don’t be selfish, be helpful. You’ll be the center of attention because everyone will respect your advice and will seek you out to solve their problems.
Resist Jumping to Conclusions
Tigers tend to jump to conclusions. This can be a deadly sin.
One way to prevent jumping to conclusions is to rely on more data and analysis. Supplement your hunch or gut feeling with some data that show the way things currently are. Do they corroborate each other? If so, you may be jumping to the right conclusion.
Another way to combat jumping to conclusions is to take time to listen to customers. Listen to understand and you will make money.
Be a Tiger
Take a look at how you are running your business and interacting with customers today. What can you do to be more tiger-like?