Invention Marketing: Stay the Course During Challenging Times

A number of years ago when I was training for a Private Pilot’s License my instructor and I were returning from a training flight as it started to rain suddenly. As we lined up our approach to land our single engine Cessna he asked rhetorically, “Still flies doesn’t she?”

Releasing the flaps another 10 degrees and straightening up for final approach I looked at him quizzically, “The first time people are in the air and it starts to rain they think the plane won’t fly for some reason,” he answered, “But as you can see, we’re still in the air.”

Last week while I was on-air at QVC selling my successful line of Envelope Templates once again, I was reminded of that day in the airplane years ago when it started to rain and my instructor wanted to be clear that I understood that the plane would continue to stay aloft despite the pouring rain outside.

You see, the economy is raining right now, yet products are still being sold. It might be hard to understand for the people following the dreaded nightly news, but yes, the majority of our world still has a job, and the majority of the world is still functioning normally despite the current proclamation of doom and gloom by the media.

The truth is, this is actually a great time for inventors and entrepreneurs because we are currently witnessing the sheep herd mentality at work. While the economy is indeed being strained from all sides, the sheep are hunkering down or have already run for cover. And what this means to the savvy business owner keen enough to spot the gap of opportunity, is that there is now less competition and the ground is fertile for planting new seeds for a harvest that can be taken now, yes, but, if planted now, will also be prime for the picking as things return to normal in the coming times.

Will you be ready when that time comes? Invention marketing requires intelligent planning so be sure to do your homework.

February 28th, 2009