Competition is everywhere you look in the business world. We compete for money, recognition, customers, and power. We compete in terms of prices, products, and even employees. You may wonder, “What’s wrong with competition? Doesn’t it help improve products and build a richer society? Doesn’t it make our lives easier, safer, and more productive?” The answer is yes, business competition is good … if it is healthy competition.

Healthy business competition is normal, good-natured, and concentrated on offering the best value to consumers. However, competition becomes unhealthy when it is excessive and mean-spirited.

One problem that surfaces when companies engage in unhealthy competition is the increased tension. This can be seen between big businesses and small businesses, businesses and employees, and even businesses and customers. But this tension doesn’t have to exist, if you are willing to see your competition in a different light.

While it is true that competition is the essence of capitalism, it does not mean that you need to declare war on your competitors. And though it may sound crazy, your toughest competitors can be positive assets to your company.

Consider this: your toughest competitors are the businesses that stand behind their products and services, charge a fair price, and enhance the reputation of your industry. Why not spend your energy finding ways to work in tandem with your competitors instead of bringing them down? Your efforts to work together could help your company reduce marketing costs, spur innovation, and even lead to new marketing opportunities.

In many industries, businesses select a particular market segment or take on a specialty. Businesses that feel limited by their existing niche markets can benefit from strategic partnerships with other similar businesses, allowing them to target a broader base without having to bear the full marketing cost. By joining forces with your competition and promoting your industry, region, or companies as a group, you can enhance the image of your individual companies and, in turn, increase sales for all.

By forming business alliances, you can not only learn more about your industry and different marketing techniques, but you can also reach more customers, gain more business through referrals, and possibly fill a gap in your company’s abilities. It’s definitely a win-win situation.

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Getting the most out of a team means being sure everyone is involved. Here are some ways to be sure they all feel valued:

• Develop a mutual purpose and vision for your group. It is much easier for group members to become involved if they share a common goal and understanding.

• Create challenging and relevant meetings. In order for a group to grow, the meetings must take into account the needs of members so they will want to become involved.

• Aid relationships within the group. The key to creating unity lies within each member’s ability to get to know one another and feel comfortable with colleagues.

• Committed leadership. Leaders need to take interest and invest in the group members’ lives in order to build trust and commitment in the group.

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Many teambuilding events can feel more like a yearly visit to the dentist… nobody really wants to go, the experience can be rather miserable, and participants are frequently relieved when it’s over.

Here are a few tips for planning an event your team will look forward to attending:

• Choose a neutral facilitator. By not putting the boss in charge, you can often level the playing field and receive more interaction.

• Select a creative location off-site. While hotels and conference centers are traditional locations, you may want to consider creative alternatives such as coffee shops, outdoor parks, or museums.

• Plan with purpose. Define specific goals that you want to accomplish, and develop a guide for achieving them. Allow plenty of time for each objective—overloading your agenda can cause stress for everyone involved.

• Reduce unrealistic expectations. While you may have a list of 20 topics you would like to cover, select a small handful of objectives that can be thoroughly discussed in the time allowed. Take advantage of this opportunity to fully involve your team.

• Set clear objectives. Circulate an agenda before the meeting to give participants an idea of what is planned. Even if you’ve planned surprise events, block the time on your agenda to avoid possible schedule conflicts.

• Assign team-building-related tasks to small groups in advance. Allow each team to take ownership in their ideas and present them at the teambuilding event.

• Engage new perspectives. Invite professionals from outside your business to speak about their knowledge and experience.

• Feed their stomachs to fuel their minds. Select a variety of appetizing food, refreshments, and snacks to keep everyone energized.

• Break frequently. By allowing frequent opportunities to use -the bathroom, check voice mail, grab snacks, etc., you can reduce interruptions during your schedule of events.

• Respect the time. If your meetings are scheduled to wrap up by 4 p.m., make sure you follow suit. Optional events, such as happy hour or evening meals, should be structured loosely to allow your team to come and go as they please.

• Have fun! Just because it is a business meeting doesn’t mean it can’t be fun.

• Follow up. The end of a team-building event is really the beginning. Take thorough notes and follow up on your group’s discussions, concepts, and ideas. Establish a communication plan for posting the progress of initiatives that have been put into place. Seek ideas from your team for your next team-building event. Ask what they did and did not enjoy, and make the responses anonymous to receive the most honest feedback.

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Has your company considered breaking into radio marketing?

Here are some things to consider before you take your business to the airwaves:

• Skip the details. In other words, keep the script as simple as possible. Use your airtime to generate excitement, not weigh listeners down with details. Reserve the details for your direct-mail marketing program.

• Forget rush hour. Instead, buy some time in the mornings or at midday. While rush hour may seem like the optimum time to advertise, your potential rush-hour audience members are more than likely in a hurry, have other things on their minds, and are less inclined to listen to advertising. You’ll get more airtime, and more attentive listeners for your money, if you stay away from rush hour.

• Buy when the market is soft. The first quarter tends to be a less expensive time to advertise, and a great time to lock in some quality airtime.

• More is better when it comes to radio ads. Your customers need to hear your ad a minimum of three times a week before it really makes an impression. In radio advertising, quantity is often more important than quality.

• Believe it or not, you may be able to keep your production costs very low. If you know what you want your ad to say, many radio stations will produce your ads for free, and possibly send them on to competing stations as a service to you.

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