How can you change how you create opportunities to grow loyalty and revenue ? The Savannah Bananas are on a quest to make baseball fun and create a remarkable fan experience filled with
“ you wouldn ’ t believe ” moments .
Ultimately , taking on this pioneering attitude can help level the playing field for smaller casinos , allowing those who take it seriously to break away from the competition and come out ahead .
Of course , this doesn ’ t come without risks . When trying something new or taking on larger players , there will always be a certain level of uncertainty . Still , a well-crafted strategy focused on customer satisfaction can help smaller casinos carve out their place in the industry .
The first step is changing your view from a state of the marketplace to a state of mind , a shift from who you are challenging to what you are challenging . Many brands we see in our lives have found success by shifting the view : Walmart , Nike , Apple , Virgin , Target , Dove and more . Your brand could easily be added to this list .
What Kind of Challenger are You ?
There are 10 main types of challenger mindsets . Understanding where you are can provide clarity to your strategy .
1 . Democratizer brands believe in bringing access to all , mainly what might have been available to an elite audience only .
2 . Dramatic Disruptors offer something significantly superior to the status quo . Consider how Casper revolutionized the mattress market . 3 . Enlightened Zaggers deliberately swim against the tide . 4 . Feisty Underdogs see themselves in a battle between small and big , good and evil , or us and them . Chutzpah is a thing for them . 5 . Irreverent Maverick brands use wit and humor . They are provocative in their goal to entertain and engage . 6 . Local Hero brands champion the local needs , local culture and local people through their deep understanding of and presence in the community . 7 . Missionary brands wear their purpose on their sleeve and are usually focused on righting an existing wrong . 8 . Next Generation brands might question an entire category believing new times call for new brands . 9 . Peoples ’ Champion brands are driven by mandate . They are agents of change , often creating people-powered alternatives . 10 . Real & Human brands challenge a certain industrialism in the category and appeal to consumers more emotionally . You may immediately see yourself in one of these categories , but as I ’ ve always said , brands are living organisms . Just as we grow and change , so do our brands . While I invite you to see yourself as one of these challenger brand types , I advise you to review this periodically .
Adopting a Challenger Mindset
None of us can afford to rest on our laurels . Technology is transforming our businesses every single day . More importantly , guest expectations continue to morph . More competitors are reaching their hands into the wallets of our customers . The battle for the entertainment dollar continues to challenge us .
A challenger mindset keeps you focused on the next edge and can keep us from becoming complacent . But there are some great recommendations for developing that mindset .
• Get Clear On Your Challenge . Understand what change you ’ re trying to bring about . For Netflix , it wasn ’ t merely about getting subscribers to rent from them ; it was about changing how people would rent movies . That was a bold ambition indeed . We know , as casino operators , that we can make a splash with new slots , new rooms , new restaurants and more new , but ask yourself , “ What am I challenging ? What bold , ambitious change can my brand bring about ?”
• Be Intelligently Naive . Consider the many companies launched in
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