Give em what they want

Just starting a new chapter of BNI at Solstice park in Wiltshire UK.
Three people interested but then thats usually the start of greater things we should have this one off the ground and running independently by September...
I have been getting an unusual amount of marketing promotional stuff by email during the so called "credit crisis" panic ensues and headless chickens are running around crying that the world is coming to an end. For some in really will be the end and probably not before time. Running aground when the pond is full is always more difficult than when the water level is down a bit. But take heart and be strong do not fall for the next big promotional idea just because ruin is around the corner the quickest way I know to hasten its arrival is to spend money on stuff you don't need or is not being looked at. The time to sell lifebelts is when the titanic is launched but the time to get the best price is moments before it plunges to the darkest depths of the freezing ocean.
A couple of pointers came my way which I think are worth repeating:
1. Customers dislike being interrupted by advertising even when the world is about to end
2. They don't want to pay for things that are usually free - so when you used to offer a bit of free advice don't stop just because you are short of cash
3. The want advertising appropriately labeled as advertising - no free offers of crap you don't want and make sure everything you do has serious value to the client
4 They sometimes appreciate finding out about unique products or services that will benefit them - okay how do we get them to see the benefit if it doesn't fit their perception of where they are at the moment.
5 Don't state the bleedin' obvious

In troubled times you can hold your head in your hands and whistle up your Barcelona or get on out there and reaffirm your existence give em what they want when you want to give it.
Have a great time money needs to be spent and it's our job to help them spend it.
Remember the words of Arkwright "get a cloth granville" time to clean up a bit