danny crates

“I know a thing or two about struggling through tough times and coming out the other side, fitter, leaner and more ready to face the world. The attitude I’ve developed, things I’ve learnt and people I’ve met along the way have strengthened my resolve and given me a greater perspective, not only on my life but on how I can inspire others , from business leaders to front line police officers, school children and sales teams.

1. Blog - build a blog, it grows your positioning online , helps you get found by search engines and puts a face and a voice to your online presence. My blog is my face to the world, it lets me keep my fans up to date on my sporting achievements and gives me a platform for direct 1-1 communication with them .
2. Use virtual Networks, use YouTube , Flickr, Facebook, LinkedIn and others to extend the reach of your audience. The tools and networks are free you just need to make use of them. I’m listed on all these and it extends my reach to my fan base and clients as well as enabling me to deliver my messages in a number of different mediums from photography to video.
3. Motivate your staff. In these tough times it’s inevitable that businesses end up laying off employees. This can create low morale in the workplace which further adds to the stress on the bottom line. Letting your remaining staff know that they are valued and key to the success of the company is imperative. Getting them inspired and motivated is the key.
4. Cultivate your clients. It’s easier to sell to existing clients than go out and find new ones. A large percentage of my business comes from referrals and repeat business as clients who have heard me speak once often refer me to colleagues and partner organisations. So go through your address book and contact your current clients, as they may not be aware of your latest products and offerings.
5. Diversify your product range. Take a look at what your current offer is and see how you can expand on that - I have gone from being a professional athlete and used that experience to motivate and inspire though speaking, hosting and now most recently I’ve diversified into heading up sports and community programs throughout the region.
6. Increase your smart marketing. Don’t cut back - it’s the opposite of what you think you should be doing but its the perfect time to negotiate , everyones cutting back so you can probably double your media presence for the same costs. But make sure you’re using smart channels .The web’s where it’s at for most businesses these days so target your channels to those where you get the most “bang for your buck”.
7. Network - You’re using your virtual networks (Facebook, linked in etc.) but get out there, get in touch with old acquaintances and make new connections. You never know where it will lead.
8. Provide outstanding customer service - these are the times to not forget your existing clients, make them feel remembered, they may be struggling as much as you so let them know you’re thinking about them and go that extra mile…(or 800m in my case !)
9. Don’t Panic - Things are bad, but the media tends to exaggerate the extent of a downturn. No one who has championed in business and sport has had an easy ride !
10. Get Fit - In times of recession people tend to cut down on snacks and treats and maintain a healthier lifestyle. So now’s the perfect time to not only tighten your financial belt but your physical one as well ; and you’ll feel much better for it !