What is your X-Factor?

Entrepreneurs And Small Business Owners

I always ask them the following two questions:

“What sets your business apart from your competitor?”

“What makes your company unique?”

In Other Words

“ W h a t i s y o u r

“ X - F a c t o r ? ”

Most of the time the response starts with a clearing of the throat, a deerin-headlights stare, or a bit of fidgeting and “ um uh,” all to get to a standard response of “Well, we have outstanding customer service.”. While great customer service is important, you must be aware that customer service can be easily duplicated. When Starbucks and ChickFil-A started asking for customers’ names instead of calling a number, that started an amazing trend in the restaurant industry It quickly went from customers truly feeling special when their name is called to a standard expectation and norm because almost all restaurant establishments do it.

Case in point, your “XFactor” must be more than outstanding customer service, which that can be easily duplicated It’s okay to often be imitated, but the real goal is to never be duplicated. It is your DIFFERENCE that makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE!

You must be allergic to average and basic Instead and be ready to soar into the unknown possibilities and freedom to not just be on the cutting edge, but “be the edge!”

You might be thinking, “Well, I don’t know where to start with setting my company apart in my industry.” Remember, you should always analyze before you strategize You want to start by performing an analysis of your top three competitors (two local and one online, if applicable).

To identify what makes you different, you must know what your competitor is doing

Research the following in your competitor analysis:

Types of products/services they offer.

Any special services. Programs or hours.

And years of experience/credentials.

And years of experience/credentials, just to name a few.

The goal is to find the gap you fill, the ways you are different, and the ultimate reason why the customer would choose your company over the competition, which is (your competitive advantage).

Ultimately, for your company to be DIFFERENT, you must decide to be DIFFERENT! You are THEE first “XFactor” in your company! There is no one like you! Everyone is as unique as their DNA and that is POWERFUL! No one has the combination of your mindset, personality, values, beliefs, gifts, talents, experiences, culture, education, or expertise, like you! You have to say no to the “What if” syndrome, no to the “This is how I’ve always done it,”, and no to the “Comfort Zone” and decide to tap into the power of being unapologetically bold, courageous, and DIFFERENT!