Roger Bannister’s name may not be a household name, but still turns heads at road races and track and field events as the first man to break the 4-minute-mile barrier way back in 1954.

Why should we lowly marketing gurus care about a 4-minute-mile?  Because they told him it couldn’t be done. They – doctors and scientists and even his fans – said it was impossible. To which Roger Bannister said, ‘I don’t think so.’

Actually, I don’t know exactly what he said, because I was barely walking, let alone running, in 1954. But as a small business owner and a consultant, advisor, marketer, and cheerleader for countless others, I know what happens in the pit of my stomach and to the hair on the back of my neck when they tell me something I want to do is impossible. I turn defiantly away and figure out how — exactly how — I can get the job done, on time and on budget. And so should you.

Do the work. Then do some more. Research, reinvent, reduce, remake and realize your impossibilities. Visualize your success. This is not new-age hogwash: it’s science.

Roger Bannister was systematic and methodical in his approach to achieving the impossible. He devoted countless hours to research, theory and practice. He immersed himself in the study of human physiology. And where he took his physical being, his mind followed. He used mental imagery to visualize success, and in doing so, reached his goal of being the first to break a 4-minute-mile.

What’s your business goal? Do you have a strategic plan to reach it? Or did someone, somewhere, tell you it was impossible?

The end of 2009 brought the end of the commuter New York Water Taxi that ferried commuters down the Hudson from Yonkers City Pier to Manhattan, docking at the World Financial Center and Wall Street, and last summer, mid-town too.

Hailed as both a tourist draw and a comfortable and believe-it-or-not, “cozy” alternative to being stuck bumper-to-bumper on the Hutch, Sawmill, 95 or pavement or rail of choice, this little-known service had been hailed by commuters, one going so far to say, “It cradles you in the morning and comforts you in the evening.”

Wait just one marketing-minute. With the cost comparable ($10 more per 10-trip vs. MetroNorth), and the trip calm, pleasant and conversational – even for New Yorkers – then what’s up? What went wrong?

Simple. Nobody knew. And you can’t sell a good thing if no-one knows about it.

Operational since May 2007 with initially four morning runs from Yonkers to World Financial District, but this year down to two, the service averaged about 75 riders daily during the summer, and 90 in the fall.  In April 2008, the one-day fare was lowered to $10, and ridership increased 40 percent – that day. According to company spokesman, ridership peaked at 3,650 in July 2008.

Last summer, NYC and parent company New York Water Taxi added a midtown Manhattan stop, with free connector shuttle bus service.  At the time, officials said they planned a geared up, major marketing campaign, going so far to claim: “some unconventional ways, guerilla marketing,” according to David Simpson, spokesman for Yonkers Mayor Philip Amicone.

Excuse me? What was the plan: ESP?

The campaign was to include television and internet marketing, drive-time radio spots, direct mail and direct outreach to big time Manhattan corporations with high percentage of Westchester-ites trekking into NYC daily. What happened?

Seeing that I live here, work here and there and everywhere, and am, it’s been said, “in-the-know” marketing wise, I hadn’t heard or seen sight or sound of the ferry. Nada. Nothing. Not a banner ad. Not a tweet. Not a billboard. Nothing shoved under my windshield wiper at the commuter lot. NOTHING.

If you market the pants off the service and it flops, well, then you’ve got nothing to sell. But this was (and remains) a viable, marketable, cost-efficient, environmentally and tourist-friendly unique service. How about sharing that information with the market anxiously awaiting it?

It’s over: 2009 is thankfully gone and 2010 is ripe and ready for prosperity! Or so we hope. But until economic times change — and fear not, times they are a changin’ — here’s five sure ways to save some serious cash:

1. Look at the phone bill. They all want your business so let them try and get it! With phone companies and voice over IP services like Vonage and Skype, you have options circa George Jetson. Do a little research and compare. You could save hundreds a month!
2. Negotiate. It’s a buyers market and the upside of this horrid economy is that price negotiating is effective and expected. Whether office furniture or office services, it’s your fiscal responsibility to ask “What’s your best rate?” or “How much for cash?” And don’t forget today’s hottest business commodity: barter. Acquiring what you want or need may be as simple as a trade of services.
3. Keep your people happy. Very happy. Bonuses are has-beens for everyone not receiving a bail-out, but your people need to know they are appreciated. You’d be amazed how much coffee and bagels can buy you in good will. And a simple “thank you, you’ve been great” is often priceless in employee and vendor loyalty.
4. Measure your advertising investment. Advertising people (like myself) will tell you the intangible benefit of getting your name out there (unless, of course, you’re Tiger). And it is disconcerting to clients when your ads suddenly disappear from trade journals where you usually advertise. Don’t stop advertising; just spend and choose wisely. Shift some advertising budget to more measurable and cost effective mediums such as on-line marketing.
5. Automate, automate, automate! Systems to keep track of accounting, payroll, travel, and research free up your employees to engage face-to-face in sales activities and inter with customers. (And it’s that face-to-face which is the single most important impact on your bottom line.)

Keep your fingers crossed for a prosperous 2010 and remember to shave costs where you can to get your company where you want to be!