Do you know how powerful differentiation is as a marketing strategy? Do you know how to differentiate your business successfully? Let this issue's cover article, "Differentiation: Smart Marketing Strategies for the Solo Entrepreneur", help you out.

Nothing has changed, the new business ideas which we've spotted recently are presented in this issue of our newsletter. Our favourites are the artistic designs for stationery, programmable pet dish, Jango, and the Hairpod. Check them out.

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Differentiation: Smart Marketing Strategies for the Solo Entrepreneur

Are you ever frustrated or hesitant when you talk to prospective customers because you can't readily explain why they should come to you rather than go to your competitors? Sure, you might have your 30-second elevator speech, but then they ask you that dreaded question, "So what makes you different?" Then, all those self-doubts creep in, and you just aren't sure what to say. Differentiation can boost confidence--yours in yourself and that prospective customer's confidence in you!

Dif-fer-en-ti-ate v. tr. To perceive or show the difference in or between; discriminate.

In business terms, to differentiate means to create a benefit that customers perceive as being of greater value to them than what they can get elsewhere. It's not enough for you to be different--a potential customer has to take note of the difference and must feel that the difference somehow fits their need better. (Other words that mean virtually the same thing: Competitive Advantage; Unique Selling Proposition; or Value Proposition.)

As you are building your business, you can use differentiation to attract more customers. Once you have momentum, differentiation allows you to charge a higher price because you are delivering more value to your customers. Make a point to evaluate and adjust your differentiation methods at least annually.

Read The Rest of This Article | Comments | Sales & Marketing
Terri Zwierzynski is a GE Network Expert. View Terri Zwierzynski's profile or read more articles from Terri Zwierzynski.

Stationery Art Form

For the executive who has grown bored with his Blackberry, and sick of his stapler, comes this rather over the top stationary revolution. These elaborately detailed, all metal staplers from Jac Zagoory. Designs come in Gorilla, bear, dragon, Lion and more. These designs have turned desk accessories into an art form.

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Mobile Specs Fitting

Glasses and contact lenses are noticeably big business all over Asia, so it’s no surprise to see a Japanese optician combining sales of spectacles with the venerable mobile phone: a handy service where browsers of the frame selection on their mobile website can go one step further and try them on virtually.

   Read More | Comments | Mobile

Programmable Pet Dish

If you own a cute pet and fears about regularity of his routine meals in your absence, then you need something like ‘Intelligent Programmable Pet Dish’ on which you can ensure timely meals by programming up to four time’s meal on a digital programmable timer and self-opening food tray that automatically serves the pet.

   Read More | Comments | Gadgets

GumDrop Boots

If anything helps to bring you up in a downpour, it's a store that evokes candy nostalgia through a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours and designs. Choose boots adorned with rock-inspired skulls, guitars and roses, for example, or plain smiling skulls, or daisies or cupcakes -- and that's just for the adults.

   Read More | Comments | Fashion

Face The Music

Imagine an online social network that provides free, on-demand online music but without the legal anxiety of peer-to-peer networks. More interactive than conventional internet radio, Jango is a New York City-based music site with a large database of songs and artists and is instantly addictive.

   Read More | Comments | Culture & Music

Transportable Hair Salon

Hair salons on wheels aren't particularly novel anymore, and most often they cater to office workers who spend their days in large industrial parks. Now UK-based HairPOD is picking up on that basic idea but bringing it out to the masses—wherever they happen to be—with quick, inexpensive haircuts on the go.

   Read More | Comments | Services

No More Scratches

D_Skin Protective Disc Skins offer music fans, movie buffs and game enthusiasts a safer, longer-lasting method for protecting their purchases. By eliminating scratches, the Protective Disc Skins helps to extends disc life and reduce the high cost of replacing damaged computer and video games.

   Read More | Comments | Special Feature

Things To Consider When Writing A Business Plan

Once you decided to start your own business, and after you have considered the Things to Consider before Starting a Business, the necessary next step is to write a business plan. Why Should I Write a Business Plan? Quite simple: you have to make sure that you have a solid base for running your business.

   Read More | Comments | Starting Up
  Article by Klaus Wiedemann

Top Ways to Get a Business Idea Off the Ground

Starting a business is fun. Planning a business is not as fun. So how do you take your fresh idea and turn it into a viable business without sacrificing your enthusiasm in the process? Here are some ways to get started now. Plan well, but plan quickly. You know you need a business plan, and ways to get your business started.

   Read More | Comments | Starting Up
  Article by Naomi Dunford

Accepting Credit Cards Online

Most business owners choose to begin accepting credit cards as a convenience to their customers, but they are often pleasantly surprised by all the other benefits that accrue to the business. Most notably, accepting credit cards online causes sales to increase.

   Read More | Comments | Online Business
  Article by Andy Lax

The Art Of Networking

Why is networking so important? We all know how long it takes to establish a good business relationship. Doing so is an art. Learning to trust, understanding the give and take, setting the terms for mutual support. These things cannot be done in an instant. They take time. Start now. It will put you ahead of the others.

   Read More | Comments | People & Management
  Article by John Bittleston

What are Human Resources and Why Should it Matter

The simplest definition of human resources (HR) that I can offer is that it's the management of employees as a capital asset. A business acquires and manages employees, in a manner similar to acquiring and managing any other capital asset. What exactly does this entail?

   Read More | Comments | People & Management
  Article by Charles Krugel

Future Work

How can business managers shape the future? Our words and actions, collectively and as individuals, are based on what we know. If our knowledge base changes, so must we. To better understand where we are going we must first draw a line from where we have been to where we are at.

   Read More | Comments | Business Trend
  Article by Abe Walkingbear

Passion Is The Key To Success

There are several ingredients that go into a winning business, including a great idea, a great team, great passion, and great leadership. All are important, but great passion can be the fire that helps fuel the success. It can also destroy the business when it is misguided.

   Read More | Comments | Entrepreneurship

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