Hello,
After a nice few days in Marrakech I have so many ideas for this blog - so I might stretch this one out for a few weeks! The thing that I noticed most about this area is how it has adapted to making money from tourism. Morocco has kept its own identity with its traditional food that is served in all restaurants, snake charmers in the town square, traditional houses clad in the local pink mud. However, the locals are extremely good at finding ways to monetize this.
In the old centre traditional houses have been converted to riads or bed and breakfasts. Traditional lamps are still hand made and sold in hundreds of shops, spice shops lure you in with the promise that they can cure you of any ailment. Old fortresses or Kasbah's are being used to film in, a long list of pictures including Gladiator, Prince of Persia, Lawrence of Arabia, Babel and more have all been filmed in the area. Even local children will give you directions for a price, often even when you don't need them. Sadly if you don't give them what they want they do swear at you....
So what are the lessons to be learned? First of all look at what your company or you as a person are good and unique at and stick to that. Be proud of being a family owned business, or a giant one stop shop. If you are a gregarious sales person, make that the thing that works for you, or if you sell through your knowledge of your field then make that your USP. Do not let other people tell you you should fit into a mould or your company should do exactly what everyone else does. No one is perfect and we can all learn and grow, but if you have something you are good at it, stick with it and become even better at it.
Secondly, how can you make money out of it? Here is the bit where you do have to look at the competition and ask your customers what they want. What is a reasonable price? The reason I bought in one spice shop over another is that it was beautifully laid out, the owner was a charming man who demonstrated his products very well and entertained us with his story. Half the money making was in his products, the other half was the show he put on for us.
Lastly, if you do find people don't want to pay (enough) for your services or goods, unlike some of those kids put on a brave face and walk away. There will always be more customers and your reputation is more important than to react badly!
If you like this blog or think that anyone else you might know, please make sure you click the follow button to be notified of any new posts. This is a public blog that is open for anyone to follow and I do welcome any feedback. Do you have certain questions on international sales or business that you want answered? Examples you want to give? Let me know!
Have a good week.
After a nice few days in Marrakech I have so many ideas for this blog - so I might stretch this one out for a few weeks! The thing that I noticed most about this area is how it has adapted to making money from tourism. Morocco has kept its own identity with its traditional food that is served in all restaurants, snake charmers in the town square, traditional houses clad in the local pink mud. However, the locals are extremely good at finding ways to monetize this.
In the old centre traditional houses have been converted to riads or bed and breakfasts. Traditional lamps are still hand made and sold in hundreds of shops, spice shops lure you in with the promise that they can cure you of any ailment. Old fortresses or Kasbah's are being used to film in, a long list of pictures including Gladiator, Prince of Persia, Lawrence of Arabia, Babel and more have all been filmed in the area. Even local children will give you directions for a price, often even when you don't need them. Sadly if you don't give them what they want they do swear at you....
So what are the lessons to be learned? First of all look at what your company or you as a person are good and unique at and stick to that. Be proud of being a family owned business, or a giant one stop shop. If you are a gregarious sales person, make that the thing that works for you, or if you sell through your knowledge of your field then make that your USP. Do not let other people tell you you should fit into a mould or your company should do exactly what everyone else does. No one is perfect and we can all learn and grow, but if you have something you are good at it, stick with it and become even better at it.
Secondly, how can you make money out of it? Here is the bit where you do have to look at the competition and ask your customers what they want. What is a reasonable price? The reason I bought in one spice shop over another is that it was beautifully laid out, the owner was a charming man who demonstrated his products very well and entertained us with his story. Half the money making was in his products, the other half was the show he put on for us.
Lastly, if you do find people don't want to pay (enough) for your services or goods, unlike some of those kids put on a brave face and walk away. There will always be more customers and your reputation is more important than to react badly!
If you like this blog or think that anyone else you might know, please make sure you click the follow button to be notified of any new posts. This is a public blog that is open for anyone to follow and I do welcome any feedback. Do you have certain questions on international sales or business that you want answered? Examples you want to give? Let me know!
Have a good week.
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