Projecting confidence is the key to engendering trust.
And confidence has nothing to do with ability or skill. Whether or not you’re the “best” at what you do is subjective. The image you project speaks for you.
So this got me thinking about my son’s preschool…
As many of you know, I have a little one. That’s right, I’m a D-A-D (scary, I know. I’m scared, too. ;-)
Anyway, the super sweet and relentlessly active Ivan (AKA Ivan the Terrible), is going on 4 years old — his birthday is next month. And this age plants him firmly in the midst of the “preschool” years.

The Preschool Experience

The whole preschool experience is funny. First of all, you have to pay (and some schools charge exorbitant tuition), which of course is a huge bummer and leaves you counting the days until that “free” public school education kicks in.
Secondly, what really goes on in preschool? What are the “students” really “learning?” The average 3-5 year old, and let’s be honest, has just about ZERO capacity for sustained concentration.
And why should they? That 3-5 age range is the ONE time in life when your concerns are nil. So why not GO NUTS?

Shopping For a Preschool

So what you really want to find when “shopping” for a preschool (which best describes the preschool selection process these days) is a place where the staff and the environment gives you a good vibe. And the tuition doesn’t send you into a full on panic attack, contemplating bank robbery or a museum art heist.
Fortunately for us, Ivan’s Mommy found exactly such a school. True to form with her talent for extensive research and extreme comparison shopping, wifey, the Minister in Charge of Ivan’s education, conducted an exhaustive search. She identified, scrutinized, categorized and evaluated (many firsthand) every potential option in a 25 mile radius (or at least what seemed like a 25 mile radius).
But her efforts proved more than worthwhile. She found a school for Ivan with a great vibe, staffed by wonderful people, that provides just the right mix of 3-5 year old education and GO NUTS playtime fun.

What’s in a Name?

The schools administrators are all women you’d love to have as your grandma. The teachers are women you’d love to have as a friend, sister or, well, preschool teacher. The school itself is housed in a converted craftsman style home, nestled on a quiet street in West Hollywood.
The school’s name, however, doesn’t quite match its spirit, practice or setting. It’s called: The West Hollywood Children’s Academy.
Whenever we announce this lofty title to other parent friends, their breath always seems to catch in their chests. You can almost hear the wheels of computation grinding in their heads… “OMG! They’re paying Harvard and Yale tuition prices for their kid’s preschool!?”
Yet, the Children’s Academy is one of the most affordable options wifey found in her extensive search. And it’s the opposite of an uptight joint with stern teachers and a stuffy prep school vibe. It’s a warm, friendly and inviting place.
But that name… It conjures an image that commands respect.

Usurping the Throne (And Claiming Your Title)

The West Hollywood Children’s Academy’s seemingly genius strategy is really nothing new.
In fact, some very well-known figures have used this savvy marketing move, too.
Michael Jackson dubbed himself “The King of Pop.”
The Rolling Stones proclaimed themselves “The World’s Greatest Rock’N’Roll Band.”
Shock-Jock radio DJ Howard Stern, taking his cue from Michael and the Stones, bestowed upon himself the title “The King of All Media.”

Acting For The Part You Want

The West Hollywood Children’s Academy is by no means the haughty school the name implies. And it’s debatable whether Michael, the Stones, or Howard can legitimately lay claim to their respective titles.
But in each of these cases, the titles took hold. The West Hollywood Children’s Academy’s name inspires reverence. Michael, the Stones, and Howard are all commonly referred to by the titles they gave themselves (and that’s how people think of them).
They all Act As If…

Acting As If is imperative if you want to grow your business.

If you’re like most business owners, you’re business isn’t exactly where you want it to be. It’s a continual work in progress. But that’s not the image you project to clients (not if you want to win their business anyway).
If you want to be at the top of your particular game, whatever that game happens to be, you proclaim yourself as such. Because if you believe it, others will too.

You may not be there yet, but that’s where you’re headed. And intention is where all great success stories begin.

What’s Your Intention?

Do you Act As If in your business? Swing by my Google+ page and describe what that looks like.