Bad advice is everywhere. Have you ever had someone give you a recipe that simply didn’t work? Or have you followed the instructions on a tutorial only to have it turn into a complete disaster? We get bad advice regularly in our lives—and business advice is no different! Here are five pieces of the worst business advice we’ve ever heard.
1. “Don’t Make Friends”
We definitely understand where this one comes from—after all, sometimes friends don’t make great colleagues and vice-versa! However, it’s essential to cultivate positive relationships with customers and coworkers alike to keep your business going strong.
2. “Stick to Your Plan”
Plans are great, but if your plan isn’t working then you need to have given yourself another option. Whether you have a backup plan at the ready or take a moment to form a new plan, it’s important to be flexible enough to redirect when needed.
3. “Cast the Largest Net Possible”
For some businesses, doing business with everyone possible is a great way to expand their network. However, this isn’t necessarily a good approach for every business. Instead, you might want to focus on the market or markets that suit you best. Not only does this targeted approach allow you to sell more effectively, it will quickly build up market-specific examples and experience.
Want to focus in on a particular market? Navitor is here to help with our vertical market kits. These kits are stocked with the products you need to focus on a niche market and are absolutely free to Navitor resellers—contact us today to request yours!
4. “It’s Okay to Fudge the Facts”
It’s important to be confident when you walk into a sales meeting. However, fudging the facts can lead to problems in the future. For example, don’t tell your customers that you offer a product that you haven’t yet found a source for. Making that promise without a caveat can lead to losing the sale and making the customer unhappy in the process. Instead, offer to look into the answers to your customers’ questions and check back when you know more.
5. “If You Want Something Done Right, You Have to Do It Yourself”
Being confident in your own abilities is great, but it’s essential to acknowledge when someone else could lend a hand. Whether it’s letting someone else take a phone call when you’re busy or boosting your product offering by partnering with a wholesale company like Navitor, teaming up allows you to rely on the skills of others to make your business stronger.
What’s the worst business advice you’ve ever heard? Join in the conversation below to share your examples and what you would suggest instead.
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