Business Lessons from Prince William and Kate Middleton

There probably aren't many people on the planet who don't know about the upcoming nuptials of one of the most famous bachelors in the world. Getting married is a pretty big step in life for anyone, and doing it before the eyes of millions is thankfully not what the rest of us have to take on! Still, William and Kate are going to be in "business" a long time, and we can already see they are determined to color a little outside the lines and run their own show despite all the trappings of tradition around them. What a perfect reminder that in business, daring to be different is far more interesting than following the pack, and it can net you more clients in the process. How's your marketing moxy? On April 29th, Kate won't be taking the same route to the church that many royal brides before her have. She's even going to ride in a car instead of a horse-drawn carriage. The pomp and circumstance we've all come to expect will still be part of the experience but a new twist on the old tradition will give it a whole new flavour. Do you stick to traditional business marketing tactics or do you allow yourself to think outside the box? There’s no getting around the fact that you have competition for your target market, but you can inject some innovative ideas into what you‘re doing. It's not just about offering a new line of products or services that are drastically different, it's about putting your unique stamp on all that you do. The trick is not to make it a one-time thing but a lasting trend. Try infusing something unusual and see what happens! Connect with the wow factor. Thanks to William's mother, Princess Diana, he had an upbringing dramatically different from his father's and previous royal generations. As a result, he has a certain level-headedness and authenticity that draws people to him. He is a magnet. How do you magnetize your customers? When potential clients look for a solution to a problem, they're not necessarily thinking about the latest craze, the most popular brands, or the lowest price. They want a personal connection with their product or service supplier. Most people I know want to feel excited and happy about what they're buying. Don't you? Use words and language that have pizzazz without overdoing it. How can you take your customer communication up a notch and add some spicy punch? Support for the front-runner. William and Kate no doubt have a myriad of people in place who support them on many levels. And they're going to need all the help they can get as they grow into their new roles. Their support network is, of course, much larger than most people's but it's crucial that everyone has one. As the front man or woman in your business, all eyes are on you and the buck stops with you. Do you have everyone you need around you, both inside and outside your business that will help you in good times and bad? Even here you can think outside the box and look for support in unusual places. Go for a mentor who's a little eccentric. Find a business or leadership coach with plenty of verve and spunk who will challenge you to think beyond normal business goals. Change things up and rock your world! Running your business involves a lot of things like time, commitment, preparation, planning, marketing, and the list goes on. Tradition has its place. It's comfortable and expected, and there's nothing wrong with it. But why not try stepping off the beaten track and broaden your horizons with a look at some unconventional ways of doing things? It can't hurt. In fact, like William and Kate, it may bring in a much-needed breath of fresh air and a brand new spark. Be bold and go for it!