How You Show Value To Yourself, Can Go Along Way To Managing Your Perceived Value To Others

Over the past couple of weeks, the subject of service value keeps appearing. It got me thinking about how we can manage people’s perceived value of us. The first step is to make sure we are valuing ourselves.

What Counts In Estimating Value Before Price Has Been Discussed?

You are the CEO of your life and your business. So many times we forget this fact. You didn’t set up your business to be a slave to it. You didn’t leave working for a boss, to working for a whole bunch of clients that you allow to treat you as an employee. You’re in business to be in control of your own path. This means focusing on your needs first. What is YOUR bottom line? What do you admire in others? Is integrity important to you? Do you want to do the best job possible without compromise?

My husband is a bloody good tiler. He draws, for anyone who questioned his prices, this Managing Expectations Triangle.

Then he added his integrity …. “& I only do quality work.”

Whilst living in the UK he was the only Tiler allowed to work on a 9th-century castle for this reason. He has also told some clients (who were making silly choices in his opinion) that he will do it their way, BUT they are not allowed to recommend him to anyone or say that he did their work. He was not putting his name to it.

This clear level of pride in his work sets him apart as ‘the guy to go to’ for quality. He has very few ‘Do it up. Flick it off ‘ or rental jobs. Mostly getting clients that respect him as a highly skilled professional rather than ‘just another Tiler’.

Your not my cup of tea.

You don’t have to work with everyone. You really want to put some people off! They are not going to help you live the life being self-employed was intended to provide you. Be not afraid to admit when you’ve made a mistake working with someone. Chooses to cut your losses and move on. It is perfectly OK to fire a client. Try it!

Speak with Conviction. This is a great video I watch every time I catch myself making these “you know” comments. Part of valuing yourself and showing perceived value is not undermining you through your communications. Take a few moments and watch this. I bet you’ll stop yourself next time you hear yourself say “you know.”

Totally like whatever, you know?

You now know what you say to yourself and how you manage your client’s that matter; now let’s look at the presentation. I’m a converted brand-a-holic. I’ve always had an idea of its importance but it’s only been recent that I’ve seen the massive potential branding has to position you in the market. And that is thanks to Dee Woodward from Get It By Deesign. I totally recommend you take time and check out how simple she has made great design for business.

Now for you: Have you turned down work or fired a client? Do you have a branded? What is your product or service value?  I’d love to read your comments below:-)