How to Be a Rainmaker

Rain- seems like that’s what we got for almost the entire summer! At what point did New York and Seattle trade places and I had no idea?

Since rain was the topic du-jour this past June/July it makes me recall a lesson on Branding I was privy to given by Ben Mack which I believe had the title: “How to Be a Rainmaker” so something similar.

Over the next few articles or so I will attempt to cover some of the essential parts of this presentation which was comprised of three main sections: 1) How to Make the Lightning, 2) Keeping the Lightning Striking and 3) Bottling your lightning.

Those not familiar who Ben Mack is should know that he ranks among the top dogson Branding today in the country bar none! Mr. Mack (or should I say Dr. Mack) has worked at some of the most recognized advertizing agencies during his memorable professional undertakings. How does Vice President for Brand Strategy at one of the companies sound to you?

In essence, what that means was he was in charge of a ” billion dollar budget (yes, I said ” billion or 500 million dollars)! Don’t you think he knows what he is doing? I most certainly do, and not only has he worked magic for the various companies he has beem employed at, he is also a professional magician who at the age of 19 was the youngest recipient of the Award of Merit given by the Academy of Magical Arts.

For those alien to the concept of what a rainmaker is, a rainmaker is one indian shaman not withstanding who instead of insuring a good harvest for his tribe brings increased revenue to his company by the use of his or her political connections, ability to attract customer therfore making the people he works for money.

As a marketer your primary function is to “up sell” people on their experience of reality. In Ben Mack’s book “Think Two Products Ahead” he speaks about how the most valuable branding really only happens only when companies and small businesses think two products ahead rather than just thinking here and now and to build a profitable relationship with your clients or customers through your Brand. The section where Ben teaches how to construct your Legend Platform is worth much more than the price of the book itself!

Your “Brand” (the one called YOU!) is constructed around the idea of a “legend” or tale and somewhere down the road grow stronger as days and weeks or even years go by. These stories or tales can and should be permitted to be at odds to each other. So, if you had to choose what type of story you should use to allow your business sparkle like a diamond (you are reading articles like these to do so correct?) why not have them be legends. How else will you become “Legendary” in your chosen field without them?

Coming soon…follow up articles on Rainmaking, Branding and Legends Oh My!