The Competition is not your enemy.
In fact, they can help you!! WHAT! How can that be? Here’s a true story… I have a “friend” who was focused on a disgruntled relationship with a similar business in town. This person watched every move this other business did to “one-up” them. They had to be in every newspaper, fair and show the other one was in. I could go on and on with the conflicts they had with each other and in the end, it only brought hardship at every turn. As the years went on I encouraged them to focus on what they did well instead of what the “other business” was doing. Focus on your differences and not similarities, because it's what makes you different that makes you special. For example, my “friend’s business” had a reputation of being highly detailed and doing each job so well that it would last many years longer than what is normally expected. On-the-other-hand the “other business” had a reputation of bad workmanship and customer service. He wasn’t friendly and his reputation was going own-hill fast. To counteract these series of events the “sour” business owner advertised and spent enormous amounts of money to get new customers. The interesting thing was that when customers started to contact this shady business they got a bad taste in their mouth and they left to find another business that would treat them better. Many would search online and find my “friend’s friendly business” instead because by that time they were in the market to buy and were ready to decide on who was going to get their business.
In the end, “my friend” learned from his mistakes and he gained so much success that he was too busy to worry about anyone else even if he had the time. His business grew and he added employees and gained the respect of everyone in the industry. The advertisements of the other business benefited him greatly because of his good-natured and professional service.
Do not be the guy this back-fires on. Always be polite and offer exceptional customer service. Customers talk to other people especially when they need to vent about substandard work. Do what you do well, and don’t worry about what the “other guy” is doing. If you keep treating employees and customers well you will go far. If you are known for offering the best widgets around people will come to you. Be the better person and don’t trash-talk the competition. Instead be the one who sends the customer over there when you are out of stock for something and then welcome them back when they return because you are honest and have a respected professional relationship, which is what matters in the end. Don’t copy the competition. Concentrate on what you do well and focus on your own strengths. If you are always looking at what they are doing you will never win.
