A Need To Stand Out

A lesson from Fashion (Part 2)

In my last post, I highlighted a lesson learned from Christian Louboutin and his signature red sole shoes.  I would like to discuss the latter briefly - "His signature red sole shoes".

I am sure I do not need to mention that the footwear industry is a "HUGE" industry especially here in the United States where over two billion shoes are sold in one year. 

I've always wondered how business owners in a very competitive industry like the footwear industry survive.  The footwear industry is a fast growing industry with yearly newcomers wanting a piece of the pie. 

Fashion in the United States evolves on a daily basis and is constantly expanding.  Need I remind us of the enormous options available to the average shoe consumer where there are shoes in almost every color under the sun especially options for a young woman like myself.

• The Consumer's Perspective:  "There are so many options."

While there is no need for me "the non-aggressive" shoe consumer to buy shoes on a daily basis, and with a large variety of shoes by MANY designers on the market, the question for me the consumer is this : 1.  "When I am ready to buy, whose shoes do I buy?" 2. "Whose shoes get my attention, regardless of the price?"

• The Shoemaker or Business Owner's Perspective: How do I stand out?
  

With so many shoes on the shelves sitting next to mine at different price points, "How do I stand out?"

Here are my thoughts: The need for you/your product to stand out in your respective industry cannot be overstated.  How are you really helping your potential customer to make that key decision to select you?  What thoughts, steps, ideas are you implementing to ultimately stand out from your competition?

I don't know exactly how Louboutin arrived at his decision or choice for his signature red sole shoes, one thing I do know is this Louboutin made "an innovative and creative decision to stand out" in his very competitive industry.   Even if his choice was an accident or a bleep - the fact is, he made the very best of it.  This innovative decision probably cost him a little extra to lacquer the soles of his shoes in red but it's definitely ringing up his cash register and ultimately Louboutin is making many trips to his bank - What about you?