Go Crazy at Work

If you want to succeed big time in your business in today's highly competitive marketplace, there are certain universal marketing principles you must always follow, no matter what industry you are in. The most important principle to keep in mind: Make sure your products and ideas are not just good, but a wee bit crazy. If your widget doesn't have a touch of craziness, it will not stand out in this sensory-overloaded, uber-competitive world. Still have doubts? Consider these crazy widget ideas that stood out and moved forward: airplanes, lightbulbs, FedEx, CNN, Post-it notes, VCRs, fax machines, cellular phones, home computers, electrical street lights, bottled water, and the Internet. So ask yourself if your widget is simply good, or a bit crazy. How can you make it crazier? If you can't, how can you make your marketing of it a bit crazier? Or your distribution of it a bit crazier? Brainstorm at least five ways to add a touch of craziness to your business.

Karen Salmansohn,1-Minute Career Therapist