During these difficult economic times, companies are looking for new and creative ways to bring in customers or at least keep current investors committed to the business.  We are seeing an increase in advertisements for greatly reduced merchandise, incentives for people simply to walk through the front door of a retail establishment, and other deals for certain demographic groups like families with young children and senior citizens.  Even the governement is pitching in to stimulate car buying with the cash for clunkers program.  If you work at a company that is struggling to improve their earnings when faced with weary consumers, are you constantly thinking of innovative ways that you can help your employer enjoy greater profits?  Difficult times call for strong leadership and bold ideas.  Why shouldn’t you be the one to offer both?

One impressive marketing scheme that was publicized this week is being offered by JetBlue.  The discount airline is offering a monthly pass for unlimited flights for $599.  Customers will be able to fly anytime between September 8 and October 8 without any seat restrictions or blackout dates.  The concept of a subway card or an E-Z pass for toll roads has taken to the skies!  The promotion is brilliant on the part of JetBlue, as most of their fares are already hovering around $100 and a passenger would have to fly at least six times in the month to take full advantage of the deal.  However, the perception of value is key in this instance.

Ideas like the one developed by some employees of JetBlue can be found at any business.  If you can be the one to share the next hot idea at your monthly company meeting, your initiative will be admired and remembered.  An employer is bound to appreciate a worker who shows interest in, and loyalty to, the success of the business.  Take a few moments today to brainstorm at least one new way in which the company for which you work can reach greater heights.

In my upcoming book Act As If It Were Impossible to Fail, I share many suggestions on how you can most effectively move ahead in your chosen profession.  I hope you will read the book when it is released next month and let me know which tips proved most valuable for you!

For more on this topic from some of my heroes, mentors, and/or thought leaders, check out these out:

• Guy Kawasaki @GuyKawasaki Why you need empathy to be an innovator!
• Tim Sanders @SandersSays Why Seth Godin’s Purple Cow worked!
• Keith Ferrazzi @KeithFerrazzi Best Practices for the Highest ROI on Client Hospitality

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