Signs Of Business Failure: How To Recognize Habits That Ensure Business Failures
Signs of business failure aren't that hard to see. This might sound like a bold statement ... but often I can spot certain business failures within seconds. How is this possible? Do I have a trusty turban and a crystal ball? Don't I wish! But no, it's just that there are certain attitudes that will kill your business faster than you would believe possible!
This is not an era of self responsibility. Sadly, most of the population finds it easier to blame others than take responsibility for their lives and situations. I would never in my wildest moments have believed that an idiot would sue McDonald's for making them fat! I detest McDonald's food and never eat there - but they are certainly not to blame for the eating habits of their customers. It's ridiculous and disgusting!
A couple of examples from my own business will make it clear how easy it is to spot these pathetic people who don't realize how badly they are damaging themselves.
When folks subscribe to my Auction Gold ezine, I offer them a free ebook. One morning I received two emails that let me know the link to this free ebook was malfunctioning. One new member was polite and simply asked for her book. I was happy to fix the link and send her the download information. The other one, though, send me the email below:
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Subject line: SPAM Complaint
I WAS PROMISED "HOW TO SUCK UP CUSTOMERS FASTER THAN A VACUUM CLEANER ON STEROIDS" FOR SIGNING UP FOR 'AUCTION GOLD' BUT WAS TAKEN TO A PAGE TELLING ME THE ITEM NO LONGER EXISTS...
DON'T YOU THINK EVERYONE SHOULD NO ABOUT THIS ON DISCUSSIONS BOARDS EVERYWHERE? I DO!
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This really is am amazing email.
1. How can I have spammed him when he came to my site and asked for something? We absolutely did not initiate contact with him in any way.
2. He is already on the attack, rather than simply inquiring about the book as the other reader did. Hostility first, rather than a reasonable question.
3. He is threatening us by promising to go to "discussion boards everywhere" and say nasty things about us.
In spite of my initial reaction to this negative and whiny email, I always bite my tongue and respond professionally, no matter how ridiculous the email. I firmly explained the situation to him and told him that this relationship would not work and that he would never hear from us again. Further, I politely expressed my dismay over his aggression and hostility.
He sent back a reply explaining that he had been “ripped off in the past” and that was supposed to make his conduct OK.
Also, he “demanded” a copy of the book.
This sad little man feels as though his poor purchases in the past justify rudeness and hostility, although I have to wonder how he could be cheated when the book cost him nothing?
I don't know about you, but I've been ripped off, as he calls it. I've spent money on ebooks, software and programs that were absolutely useless to me. Have you? If you haven't, it's because you haven't, you will sometime in the future.
So what? It's just the price we pay for growing and learning. I'm certainly not saying that I'm happy about wasting money. I'm just saying that it's inevitable. There are sacrifices and prices to be paid for anything we want.
When I was a child, I wanted to be either a fairy princess or a movie star. Once I began to grow up, though, I always wanted to be a teacher. In fact, it's the only profession I ever wanted. I got to be a teacher all right, but at the cost of many thousands of hours and dollars of college courses to get a teaching certificate.
Further, as a teacher, I obtained advanced degrees. The price was summer vacation, few free weekends due to studying and evening classes after teaching school all day. No complaining necessary. It was my choice and it was worth it to me.
So, why does a guy like the sourpuss mentioned above believe that he should have an easy trip, a free ride, and that he is justified in his bitterness and anger. Certain sign of forthcoming business failure, right?
Too many would-be entrepreneurs have bought into the get-rich-quickly-and-easily myth promoted by unscrupulous people. It just ain't so! A Net business, just like any other, requires hard work, preparation, learning and sacrifice.
Once I was talking with a would-be auction student, explaining how she could get started. I asked her if she had any questions and there was a long, l-o-n-g silence. Finally, in a whiny voice she replied, “That sounds like a lot of work”.
Well, guess what ... it is! And here's the analogy I used for her: If I created a $10,000/month auction business and just handed it over to her .. free gratis ... “Here, it's all yours.” - what would happen?
I can assure you that in a very short time it would all fall apart, because she didn't have the skills she needed to keep it going! It's like starting the first grade and being assigned to an algebra class. Skills build on each other and there's no way around the learning curve.
So, avoid these failure traps by taking responsibility for your choices - and get to work!
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