Use your volcanicity!
Where were you when the volcano erupted? I was busy writing a speech on positive thinking and opportunity taking in business when I realised that I could use the volcanic eruption in Iceland as the perfect analogy as it is the perfect example of how people’s personalities in business will set them apart.
What is seen and billed by the media as a natural disaster causing chaos for the world’s airlines can also be billed as a natural phenomenon and a boost for local trades.
From farmers who are now supplying more UK supermarkets with produce as we can’t import it into the country, from photographers selling their images of the smoking volcano to the bed and breakfast’s along the coast where people from Heathrow and Gatwick journeyed to to ensure that they still got a bit of a break away.
All of these people had the mindset to ask: Where is the silver lining in this situation? How can I turn a negative into a positive? As a business owner you will make more money or stimulate awareness if your attitude is one that pushes you forward to surviving whatever life throws at you…
Lastminute.com stopped sending out their regular travel updates and adjusted their marketing plan to promote UK based adventure and spa activities. Through their positive stance on the crisis, they will make sales on those items but also inflict a sense of purpose to the public by showing them that they do still have options for fun…
There are some mistakes or occurrences which can’t be turned around to make a profit but will leave you wiser so in the long run they will stop you from making those mistakes again – still a silver lining.
Now I’m not suggesting that you head on a boat to Iceland and scour the area for natural pumice stone to supply to Boots – if you can do this good luck! But instead, use it as a good example of how to turn a situation round and view it with the glass half full, not half empty of Volcanicity…
