I love the expression "Model the Masters"

If PRICE is so important in a tightened economy, someone please explain to me why there were lines running out the doors of Tiffanys' at Christmas time, I'm still having difficulty getting high-end wines due to being sold out, and I'm running into multiple hour waits for at a table at higher end restaurants. And what's with all those "every day" folks sitting at the $25 minimum blackjack tables in the casino (playing more than one chip a hand)? Apple products are "higher priced" than others in their category, posting higher and higher profits. And, have you heard anything about Rolex going out of business?-me either. Panera Bread raised its prices twice in the past year and continues opening up stores at a record pace. The auto industry "needs" a bailout because of the "economy" yet that same industry needs to sell 7 cars to make what Harley makes on one bike (and you need to wait 6 months to get the bike!).

Take a look at what you and your company have been offering up as solutions to the economy challenges. How has the cutbacks, price slashing, deep discounts approaches been working for you? Reexamine some of the examples above and see if that's been their approach. Might there be a better way? The economy (and majority of workforce/business owners) was on such a long run of "prosperity" that I fear many are taking a reactive, panic approach to the markets. Like telling salespeople to call on more and more prospects they've never done business with before. Hey, I'm not against prospecting but wouldn't that be an even harder sell in a tight economy. Maybe solidifying and expanding the business we do with our existing clients would be time better spent.

I keep reading and looking in the business mags, papers and internet for the success stories of those shrinking to the top of the equity markets. I'm looking for the investors beating the doors down to get in on those slashing and cutting (inside and out).

I love the expression "Model the Masters". In sales, I say, look at the top sales people and see what they are doing and do some of the same. Is it not time we as companies looked at firms posting successes and do the same? I'm thinking it ain't a strategy of PRICE.