There’s a whole lot of debate, emotion, and general attention on this issue right now.
Weather you are an entrepreneur or not, it will affect you, and it does matter.
Let me just make a disclaimer: I am not a political expert, I haven’t analyised anything in depth, and I am not trying to be a reporter or an expert here. I’m just telling you what I think may be an opportunity and trying to get rid of the stress and pain from these political conversations that keep popping up in my life.
Let me just be up front and honest and tell you my gripes with what’s going on, so I can go back to positive:
1- Yes, I think this is rediculous and a joke.
2- Yes, I think it is a drastic and embarassingly scary step towards socialism
3- Yes, I feel betrayed that the people in our government who are supposed to represent us, used force, coercion and all the bad types of influence you can think of to get the thing passed. I feel like this move was a move by the government for a few select people, and that ultimately the American people were silenced, and told that what they wanted didn’t matter. That even though it seems no one wanted it, and that multiple times those who are trying to pass it were told no, they went ahead and did it anyway. I think it was corrupt.
4- YES, I believe that there are and will be a whole lot of amazing opportunity because of it.
Where I think the opportunity will come:
Preventative and alternative health care. Here’s really what’s good about this, this bill is going to create a lot of financial stress and pain for a lot of people, as well as a much lower ultimate quality of available health care in our country. There are all kinds of outcomes being predicted, by the fact of the matter is, the more problems the government creates, the more opportunities there are for us as entrepreneurs to create and provide solutions and be paid for them!
If going to the doctor becomes worse, less available, or whatever you will want to do anything possible to avoid it, and therefore all kinds of products could be sold. From supplements to information, to coaching and consultation.
Second, it’s going to impact bottom lines. There’s chances to help more people get more financially sound in myriad ways. That is also a huge entrepreneurial opportunity.
Thirdly, it’s scaring a whole bunch of people, and getting a lot of people really negative, etc. If you want things to change, and you have a different perspective or view point, now is the time to start talking and making things happen. People are going to be much more supportive and open and willing to act.
Fourth, action while everyone else is in fear and negative reaction. What I mean is, you have a whole bunch of scared people. That means there’s a bunch of people and business owners sitting on the sidelines, who are distracted. As with any time of “recession” or whatever this thing they are talking about that’s going on with our economy, there’s always a wide open lane of opportunity for those who choose to be opportunist.
Fifth, The chance to find a good side. I guess I alread said this in my last point, but I’d just like to drive it home that the biggest opportunity is to look at the opportunities when no one else is. Yes, this should motivate you to act and make changes and be a force for what you want to see in the world. But talking to your brother in law or the next person who is addicted to the news about it, isn’t going to change anything. And that’s what seems to be going on, people just walking around worrying. Personally, I think that’s a huge oppurtunity.
Sixth: marketing opportunity, find a way to get in front of the traffic. Anytime there is a whole bunch of attention and emotion going in a direction, that is something you can use to make your marketing, more relevant and more impactful. People already have an emotional response to anything that reminds them of this topic, there’s news stories, trends on twitter, etc. You can find ways to tie all that into your marketing. Use it in subject lines on emails, ads, and especially if you are in the health niche in any way shape or form, you had better do some kind of promotion based on this event. Choose sides, polarize and bond with your herd. I guarantee there are conversations going on in your prospects, customers, and clients heads and lives. ENTER.
Examples:
If I were a financial planner: I would use this as an opportunity to talk to every prospect, client, and customer that I knew about how it will impact things. It is a prime opportunity to get all kinds of traffic, and referrals. Evaluate it, how it will impact things, and create a video, an audio or a report about what it means, and some of the things to be aware of and suggestions for what ought to be done in light of changes. Especially if you serve entreprneurs.
If I were a diet/nutrition guru: I’d use the opportunity to bond with my clients/customers/subscribers by taking a strong stand and then re-enforce why it is so increadibly important to do XYZ, and fix the real problem.
(note: all who are in MLM, this is a great time for you. Perhaps the best because it’s very likely that you have a wellness product, the tie in there is obvious and easy. Weather you talk about health physically or financially, there’s an opportunity)
Other businesses: I’d do a sale of some kind. It depends on your business, but find a way to use the subject matter to get more attention on whatever it is you are offering.
BIG OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE IN OTHER BUSINESSES: Just look at what traffic you could buy or use that would work for a while. I am sure there is media and ad inventory being created right now that you can capitalize on. If you can make your offering general interest, there are probably lot’s of political blogs you can tap into.
Gung-Ho Entrepreneur? What’s the next business, product line, market that you can serve because of the changes that are coming. Move quickly and you’ll be ahead of the pack.
The bottom line is, the mixture of change, attention, and emotion are an opportunity.
Right now, you have the choice before you to sit there and whine, worry, and complain about what’s going on, or you can turn your brain on and see how you can leverage the opportunity to advance you towards your goals.
What to do now?
Tell me what you think! I want to hear your thoughts, oppinions and ideas. If we could make this a place of positive ideas and opportunities from stuff that makes everyone act negative, that would be awesome!
What are YOUR ideas?