Stupid business owners

32 replies
For what it's worth..

Every now and then, even on this very forum, i see IM's talking about stupid business owners. Offline people that just don't understand how the internet works, what you need hosting for, all that jazz.

Well here's the thing (and this is just my personal opinion): i don't like that attitude.
Business owners aren't stupid people, they just aren't educated about all things online. That's why they hire you.

How about this:

Don't devalue business owners by saying they are stupid, but instead increase your OWN value by saying you are an expert when it comes to online stuff.

This mindset has basically two advantages:

1) You don't constantly feel like you're working with complete idiots
2) You overthink your pricing-strategy because hey, would an expert sell seo services for like 29 bucks a month?

Ah well, just my two dineros.

Cheers, Chris.
#business #owners #stupid
  • Profile picture of the author betterwtveter
    What we should respect about business owners is that they are the brains behind the main product or service idea, we are the ones that make sure the product and service gets well exposed to the market. So business owners and internet marketers together are a great recipe for success. Most of my clients are business owners. Without them, I may be out of business.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7941820].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author TeamBringIt
    I wouldn't call them stupid...They need to be educated, on certain things and once that is done, you are going to get better results-- with your marketing/services/products. The problem is that some want to be educated and some refuse and ignore...results vary
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7941867].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author lollobrigida
    I go to a doctor, an attorney, an auto repair shop (and many other places)...
    because I know crap about medicine, law, what makes a car run (and a lot more).
    I will stay with them if I trust them...
    because I don't have the time, money or desire to learn that stuff myself.
    Should they treat me like I'm stupid... I'm gone. Period.

    The smart and slightly overused sentence "you get what you pay for"
    holds true for respect too...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7941914].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MarkJez
    Hi Chris,

    Good point - I totally agree with you.

    However, there are some rare exceptions.

    Example: I once spent a day building a website using WP for a business owner client.

    After completion, he insisted on having the full login codes so he could have access "if anything happened to me."

    I agreed, on the priviso that he didn't attempt to make any changes to the site as he had had no WP training.

    A few months later, despite my warning, he went into the site, changed the theme, header etc. and effectively "destroyed" the site, including much of the on-site SEO set-up.

    Eventually, it cost him his business, as his G rankings dropped like a bomb.

    It was like a heart surgery patient getting home and then opening up his chest with a scalpel to see what work the surgeon had performed.

    I was very frustrated with my client because he ignored all my warnings, and had acted stupidly IMHO.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7941922].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ThePromotionalGuy
      Mark,
      Originally Posted by MarkJez View Post

      I was very frustrated with my client because he ignored all my warnings, and had acted stupidly IMHO.
      Seriously?!

      Who gave him access again?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7942032].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    I don't think business owners are stupid but I do think a lot of 'web guys' are stupid and take advantage of business owners. So many 'web guys' I have come across in my offline business dealings are nothing more than people who know the basics of how to install and customize a Wordpress theme.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7941931].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author donza
      Originally Posted by WillR View Post

      I don't think business owners are stupid but I do think a lot of 'web guys' are stupid and take advantage of business owners. So many 'web guys' I have come across in my offline business dealings are nothing more than people who know the basics of how to install and customize a Wordpress theme.
      I think people forget the depth of knowledge required to build a website arrange hosting etc . There are still lots of people out there who know little about computers, the internet

      For example, my brother owns a contracting business, the other day he rings me "his computer guru" and says, " Hey bro,I have to print a pdf file and I haven't got Microsoft Office, on my new laptop, what do I do?"

      I reckon it would take him at least a hundred frustrating hours of study before he could reach the stage where he could build a simple site and arrange the hosting etc. Since he values his time at $150 an hour it would actually cost him $15,000 to build that simple site.

      In light of that, five hundred dollars for a site designed by a "stupid web designer" would be a bargain.

      BTW he doesn't really need a website as all his work comes through industry contacts.

      Cheers Don
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7947315].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Rearden
    All I have to say is...

    "Some will... some won't... so what? Who's next?"

    If your pitch doesn't hit their hot buttons... just call them in a few months.

    Where a pitch succeeds is when you have someone with an open mind about the concept you're pitching.

    But the linchpin is the open mind; without it, it doesn't matter how you pitch or what you pitch, you're not going to get anywhere.

    That's why the saying above is so important. And powerful. You will realize your odds when you prospect en mass, and stop worrying too much about how a suspect responds to your pitch.

    Just dial the next number and stop analyzing.
    Signature
    David Duford -- Providing On-Going, Personalized Mentorship And Training From A Real Final Expense Producer To Agents New To The Final Expense Life Insurance Business.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7942067].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Zesh
    Also I think a lot of web design company are coming off as "marketing experts". That always baffles me.
    Signature
    Coming Soon - 5 Dollar Gem WSOs!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7942548].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author MarkJez
      Mark,
      Quote:
      Originally Posted by MarkJez
      I was very frustrated with my client because he ignored all my warnings, and had acted stupidly IMHO.

      Seriously?!

      Who gave him access again?

      --------------------------------------------

      Hi PromotionalGuy,

      If any of my clients absolutely insist that they have the login codes to keep in a safe place in case of my demise or my company failing - then I give them to the client. Fortunately, it's rare for them to ask me.

      When I do give away the login codes - I make it crystal clear that they shouldn't make any core changes to the site.

      It was only this one client who thought he knew better - screwed up the site and sadly paid the ultimate price
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7942976].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author YellowGreenMedia
      Originally Posted by Zesh View Post

      Also I think a lot of web design company are coming off as "marketing experts". That always baffles me.
      This coming from 'the' WSO rehasher on WF, the irony baffles me lol.

      @OP saying that business owners are stupid means that you yourself is stupid and shouldn't be in the offline business at all, as peoole like you are this that makes business owners even more skeptical for IM in their business, giving us all a bad name.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7945230].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author ChrisByrns
        Originally Posted by YellowGreenMedia View Post

        @OP saying that business owners are stupid means that you yourself is stupid and shouldn't be in the offline business at all, as peoole like you are this that makes business owners even more skeptical for IM in their business, giving us all a bad name.
        Wait, what?
        Excuse my ignorance, but did you actually read my post?
        If so, please read again - just for shits'n giggles.
        Kthx.
        Signature
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7946470].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author KMurrayCreative
    I give my clients logins for their Wordpress sites. I train them, if only to not touch anything that looks like code and shit. I think that it's a huge advantage of Wordpress, is that they really can't screw it up too much if they just stick with adding new posts etc. I have a maintenance plan for those who are too scared to do Wordpress updates, and the ones who want to do everything themselves, I offer the same plan (basically) but say that if they screw anything up then I will restore it from the previous weeks backup.

    They're subject matters in their fields, because I can't read minds on stuff like who would hire a vaguely named consulting firm with a fancy address... And they respect that I'm mostly a subject matter expert in my own field, or atleast know considerably more than they do. If they want to pay alot more and hire a custom coder dude or a SEO specialist, I encourage them to. I can still sell, and be honest at the same time.

    The most honest business person I've run across was a vintage clothing retailer who would google how much an item was selling for on eBay, in front of the client, and tell the person what she would buy the item for (half or less what it was going for on eBay). She got a surprising amount of people selling her their stuff, because they didn't want to go thru the trouble of listing on eBay, even if they could get considerably more.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7943089].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Rendition
    I don't think business owners are stupid, just some are certainly stubborn and stuck in old ways. For example, I visited a guy who had been selling eye glasses for 30 years, and was convinced that his website was awesome even though it was prehistoric in both design and function. NOTHING was going to change his mind because he was too caught up in his own ego. He showed me a program that mirrors people wearing their glasses, and was bragging about it when it was a very simple program. He said he bought it in germany, and I'm sure he did years ago for boatloads of money. He showed me his blurry logo and was convinced it was a marketing tactic. Despite my unbiased advice, he seemed too set in his rituals to make changes for the better.

    In this particular case, it wasn't that he was uneducated, it was that he refused to be educated when faced with the facts.

    I agree though, many are uneducated and that doesn't equal stupid. But when inflation of the ego gets in the way of progress, that could lean toward the stupid side of things.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7943655].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author SEO results
      Anyone that can start a business is smart in my opinion.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7944035].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author msteffens1979
        Small business owners can definitely be divas and argumentative I guess it all depends on which niche you're in.

        That being said, I feel that most offline guys and gals act like complete fools and are basically sales whores. Just look on Craigslist under "computer services" or whatever it's called, basically you have "SEOs" and "Web Designers" acting like cheap prostitutes giving away their services like complete idiots.

        This is just one example of how a bunch of ignorant wannabes are f'ing it up for all the legitimate service providers in this biz.

        My 2 cents.....
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7944863].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author TeamBringIt
        Originally Posted by SEO results View Post

        Anyone that can start a business is smart in my opinion.
        Honestly, starting a business and running a business properly to profits, is very different. Many are able to start a business, it is very easy but running it is not something, all can do and do well.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7944953].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author umc
      Originally Posted by Rendition View Post

      I don't think business owners are stupid, just some are certainly stubborn and stuck in old ways. For example, I visited a guy who had been selling eye glasses for 30 years, and was convinced that his website was awesome even though it was prehistoric in both design and function. NOTHING was going to change his mind because he was too caught up in his own ego. He showed me a program that mirrors people wearing their glasses, and was bragging about it when it was a very simple program. He said he bought it in germany, and I'm sure he did years ago for boatloads of money. He showed me his blurry logo and was convinced it was a marketing tactic. Despite my unbiased advice, he seemed too set in his rituals to make changes for the better.

      In this particular case, it wasn't that he was uneducated, it was that he refused to be educated when faced with the facts.

      I agree though, many are uneducated and that doesn't equal stupid. But when inflation of the ego gets in the way of progress, that could lean toward the stupid side of things.
      To me, the business owner here wasn't necessarily stupid, nor uneducated. Maybe he's got lots of business and his website is currently effective. There is no proof that a slicker design will make him more money. Lots of businesses to great business with outdated websites. I made a killing my own offline businesses with absolutely horrible websites. Sure, you could have made me a cooler site, but I would have had to give you money and I had all of the business that I needed already. And someone out there can build a better website than you. Do I then, as a small business owner, have to pay that designer money to replace your site because his is better, let I be called stupid or uneducated?

      Arrogance is what I hear on here the most often, and it isn't attractive and won't get small business owners interested in what you have to offer when you're looking down on them. People whine about making cold calls and how business owners just don't know what's good for them. They whine about not getting responses to emails, or because they can't prove their value to the business owner and therefore can't close a deal. Marketers often get caught up in their own hype, and the hype of others as evidenced by all of the WSO sales here. But not everyone will think as highly of your skills or idea as everyone else. In fact, that something that we as small business owners know. If everyone wants or needs my service, I'm probably doing something wrong. I accept that, and rejection just gets you that much closer to your target audience. Those people aren't your market, and some of the marketers here just can't accept that so the denigrate the business owner because someone must be at fault here, and it can't be the marketer.
      Signature

      Simple "pay what you want" life coaching services online.
      Get out of your own way in business. It's personal. Click Here

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7945468].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Amod Oke
    Totally agreed! The reason they have money in the first place is because they are not!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7944905].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jrobconsult
    My view may be skewed, but there are definitely some stupid business owners. I have run many a liquidation sale and seen some idiots. Most are smart, but are just stubborn or resistant to change.

    The idiot owner is the one to stay far away from. The key is to educate the others and maybe you can do business with them.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7944986].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author WeavingThoughts
    Being a small business owner doesn't automatically make somebody smart or stupid.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7945321].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author DABK
      A lot of people start a business because they know how to do something well (or better than the company where they work or buy their stuff from). Some are smarter than others. A lot have no clue about how to run a business in the beginning and learn along the way.

      The good ones learn more about that. Some smart ones never learn (or never learn how to delegate... Some are just too sure that the way they do it is the best way and that nobody can do it just like they do it. And, sometimes it's true... but not relevant... If the level of quality you provide is lost on your customers, you can provide less quality... Case in point, in my life as a real estate appraiser: a lot of my clients couldn't care less about appraisals I did; they liked the speed but they could take anyone in my office, even the one I ended up firing because she was so sloppy.)

      It's not stupid: it's open to change, open to looking at what you do critically.

      I've known some very smart people who can't take a business to levels some dumber people did.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7945418].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Rendition
    I don't think business owners are stupid, just some are certainly stubborn and stuck in old ways. For example, I visited a guy who had been selling eye glasses for 30 years, and was convinced that his website was awesome even though it was prehistoric in both design and function. NOTHING was going to change his mind because he was too caught up in his own ego. He showed me a program that mirrors people wearing their glasses, and was bragging about it when it was a very simple program. He said he bought it in germany, and I'm sure he did years ago for boatloads of money. He showed me his blurry logo and was convinced it was a marketing tactic. Despite my unbiased advice, he seemed too set in his rituals to make changes for the better.

    In this particular case, it wasn't that he was uneducated, it was that he refused to be educated when faced with the facts.

    I agree though, many are uneducated and that doesn't equal stupid. But when inflation of the ego gets in the way of progress, that could lean toward the stupid side of things.
    To me, the business owner here wasn't necessarily stupid, nor uneducated. Maybe he's got lots of business and his website is currently effective. There is no proof that a slicker design will make him more money. Lots of businesses to great business with outdated websites. I made a killing my own offline businesses with absolutely horrible websites. Sure, you could have made me a cooler site, but I would have had to give you money and I had all of the business that I needed already. And someone out there can build a better website than you. Do I then, as a small business owner, have to pay that designer money to replace your site because his is better, let I be called stupid or uneducated?

    Arrogance is what I hear on here the most often, and it isn't attractive and won't get small business owners interested in what you have to offer when you're looking down on them. People whine about making cold calls and how business owners just don't know what's good for them. They whine about not getting responses to emails, or because they can't prove their value to the business owner and therefore can't close a deal. Marketers often get caught up in their own hype, and the hype of others as evidenced by all of the WSO sales here. But not everyone will think as highly of your skills or idea as everyone else. In fact, that something that we as small business owners know. If everyone wants or needs my service, I'm probably doing something wrong. I accept that, and rejection just gets you that much closer to your target audience. Those people aren't your market, and some of the marketers here just can't accept that so the denigrate the business owner because someone must be at fault here, and it can't be the marketer.
    Well sure, he was doing fine, but that was not the issue. You can have just a facebook page and be doing fine. If I sold ____ and was happy selling 10 a week because it paid my rent and bills, I would be doing fine. Does that really mean I shouldn't try to sell more? It's about whether or not you want to increase upon what you already have, or just remain on the comfortable plateau where you are. I'm saying that particular business owner was stuck on the plateau. Sure, maybe they had no desire to go further with their business, and we can argue back and forth about whether or not that in itself is stupid. You can call me arrogant when you have no clue about my business or service, but that in itself is arrogant. Our service would have helped him increase sales at a quantified level and it includes money back guarantees to provide a safety net for the customer. In no way was I caught up in my own service, the vast majority of my meeting with him was about his business. And yes, I know he wasn't my customer, and that's why I moved on and am not trying to sell to him, but rather am bringing in other customers who are more savvy to the web and realize good work when they see it. It was just that he was happy as he was and didn't care too much about increasing sales by improving his web presence. I suppose stubborn is a better word.

    I see too many blind rejections on this forum, where cocky marketers think they can shoot down or dally out advice to others, calling them "arrogant" for example, when the person is just offering unbiased on the ground experience, ONE case study, and not at all trying to capsulate that as an overall example of businesses or business owners. I suppose this is normal though, because a lot of time marketers need confidence, but I see a lot of people just slapping their cocks around instead of just trying to remain unbiased and present case studies from the ground. Instead, it's a lot of theory about other peoples experience.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7945721].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author umc
      Originally Posted by Rendition View Post

      Well sure, he was doing fine, but that was not the issue. You can have just a facebook page and be doing fine. If I sold ____ and was happy selling 10 a week because it paid my rent and bills, I would be doing fine. Does that really mean I shouldn't try to sell more? It's about whether or not you want to increase upon what you already have, or just remain on the comfortable plateau where you are. I'm saying that particular business owner was stuck on the plateau. Sure, maybe they had no desire to go further with their business, and we can argue back and forth about whether or not that in itself is stupid. You can call me arrogant when you have no clue about my business or service, but that in itself is arrogant. Our service would have helped him increase sales at a quantified level and it includes money back guarantees to provide a safety net for the customer. In no way was I caught up in my own service, the vast majority of my meeting with him was about his business. And yes, I know he wasn't my customer, and that's why I moved on and am not trying to sell to him, but rather am bringing in other customers who are more savvy to the web and realize good work when they see it. It was just that he was happy as he was and didn't care too much about increasing sales by improving his web presence. I suppose stubborn is a better word.

      I see too many blind rejections on this forum, where cocky marketers think they can shoot down or dally out advice to others, calling them "arrogant" for example, when the person is just offering unbiased on the ground experience, ONE case study, and not at all trying to capsulate that as an overall example of businesses or business owners. I suppose this is normal though, because a lot of time marketers need confidence, but I see a lot of people just slapping their cocks around instead of just trying to remain unbiased and present case studies from the ground. Instead, it's a lot of theory about other peoples experience.
      My remarks about arrogance weren't only referencing your experiences, as I clearly stated. I see lots of marketers on here that call business owners stupid and other names because they want to take that business owner on a trip that the business owner doesn't want to go on.

      In your case, you still call him stubborn even though he was doing fine, simply because he didn't want to sign up for the trip that you wanted to take him on. That isn't necessarily stubborn. Maybe he knows things about his business that you don't know. I've had marketers try to sell me services for my own offline service businesses, and I didn't want their services, nor do I need them. I'm sure they called me "stupid", "stubborn", or whatever, but in the end they were arrogant in thinking that they knew better than I what my business needed, and I see it all the time. Not every business wants or needs more business. There will always be more opportunities and ways to obtain more business, that doesn't mean that they are needed or wanted by the business owner, and that doesn't make them stubborn, stupid, or whatever you want to throw out there. They may know things about their business that limit their growth potential based on factors other than marketing.
      Signature

      Simple "pay what you want" life coaching services online.
      Get out of your own way in business. It's personal. Click Here

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7946943].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Robert Domino
    Originally Posted by ChrisByrns View Post

    For what it's worth..

    Every now and then, even on this very forum, i see IM's talking about stupid business owners. Offline people that just don't understand how the internet works, what you need hosting for, all that jazz.

    Well here's the thing (and this is just my personal opinion): i don't like that attitude.
    Business owners aren't stupid people, they just aren't educated about all things online. That's why they hire you.

    How about this:

    Don't devalue business owners by saying they are stupid, but instead increase your OWN value by saying you are an expert when it comes to online stuff.

    This mindset has basically two advantages:

    1) You don't constantly feel like you're working with complete idiots
    2) You overthink your pricing-strategy because hey, would an expert sell seo services for like 29 bucks a month?

    Ah well, just my two dineros.

    Cheers, Chris.
    I personally get offended when people here talk down about business owners (their own clients no less!).

    However, after meeting and talking to real life business owners, it amazes me how many of them are pretty stupid.

    Before I got interested in offline marketing, I always had a lot of respect for small business owners: they have to open a store, manage employees, render services, fill in paperwork etc. That shows entrepreneurship, courage and persistence.

    Then they tell you they have no budget for marketing. They run a restaurant and pray that word of mouth will bring in customers.

    That really lowered my expectations about small business owners. Obvious, it is a generalization and a lot of them are doing really well but some really make me wish they'd just go bankrupt.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7945814].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ChrisByrns
    Also, i agree, there definitely are those stubborn people who are resistant to any change - but there's also an element that shouldn't be overlooked. Example given:

    I have worked with plenty of musicians, refurbishing their sites and all - you know what, i have never been able to sell them a complete redesign or even a new logo. Stupid me, you may argue, but it wasn't a matter of suckage on my end. You know what?

    Those musicians have been in the market for over 20 years and some elements they have (logo, layout of flyers, specific elements on a website) just WORK because their target-group got used to those elements over the years. This has nothing to do with being just stubborn.
    Sometimes, you don't have to re-invent the wheel.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7946518].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Erica Leggette
    Like Forest Gump's moma told him
    "Stupid is what stupid does"
    Looking at some of the things I do then looking at what other folks do, it's clear that stupidity exist rightfully on all ends at times depending on the situations.

    And it's ok. Everybody has the equal opportunity of being, acting, or portraying stupidity.

    Small business owners don't understand web hosting, websites, lead gen systems, etc..that don't make them stupid. And it doesn't make us stupid cause we know what they are yet some of us struggle with explaining these things to them. See? :confused:

    Stupidity shows up in the actions...

    Personally, I just got to know what these things were over the last couple of years so I try to chin-check myself when I see that I'm being condescending to someone who don't yet. To me, I'm the stupid one in that situation

    We are all living and learning, though. And that's the good thing about it.

    I started praying that I'm just able to speak clearly to who I'm speaking too.
    Signature
    Be easy.


    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7946713].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Rearden
    Maybe it's being an experienced salesperson, but getting all hung up on someone's lack of open-mindedness is indicative of the number one Sin of Sales:

    -Not enough prospecting!

    Trust me, when you are booked solid with 10-15 appointments, before the week even starts, and you understand the powerful position you're in, you'll care -- but not tooo much -- about the dopes who aren't interested in appointments.
    Signature
    David Duford -- Providing On-Going, Personalized Mentorship And Training From A Real Final Expense Producer To Agents New To The Final Expense Life Insurance Business.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7947084].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author kellyyarnsbro
    Well said, at the end of the day they still are the owner of that business and no matter what they are the rule, they are the boss and they can do everything they want, as what we say they are the OWNER.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7947768].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author kpmedia
    Not knowing something is fine, that's why you hire experts. Call it being ignorant, uneducated in a subject, whatever -- that's fine. No shame in that. For example, I have no idea how to change the oil in my car, and take it somewhere; most people do that.

    But being WILLFULLY ignorant on a topic makes you stupid. The ""I don't want to hear about it" or "just make it happen" attitude is the one that always leads to trouble. That person in an idiot, and I suggest you get away ASAP.

    If somebody explained how they change oil, I'd learn (or at least listen) I won't be rude and say "I don't care" or "just make it happen".
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7948020].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    Chris,

    I like the post.

    We do what we do so our clients can be free to do what they do best
    and don't waste time trying to do their own web marketing.

    Having a negative attitude towards prospects will hurt the sales process.
    Having a negative attitude towards clients will hurt the project and the
    repeat and referral business process.

    As Rearden is pointing out, working with QUALIFIED prospects and
    clients - not suspects - will help eliminate a lot of the things that lead
    offliners to be disrespectful.

    Educate prospects/suspects with your already done written content
    or videos, but focus on the ones who "get" web marketing and are willing to spend.

    Also, it's very important that we don't emotionally project upon the business owner
    that they should grow as fast and as big as we think they should. They may have a
    sick kid or spouse or parent that they need to take care of. They may have family,
    community, and/or religous values and priorities that they would choose over
    business any day of the week if they could...

    Another thing offliners should NOT do is overlook the clients' industry specific
    knowledge or regulations or business practice. EX: I worked in landscaping
    and did not get why the owner would on site, physically count everything
    we planted when he could have just given the customer computerized lists
    and receipts. It was kind of a show to the customer that they got all the
    deliverables. This guy trained most of the guys who went on to become
    the big names in the field in our market.

    Dan
    Signature

    "If you think you're the smartest person in the room, then you're probably in the wrong room."

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7948144].message }}

Trending Topics