Here in the heartland, pro football fans have been suffering through the St. Louis Rams 0-8 season. But today there's good news. They didn't lose yesterday. The bad news is that they didn't win either. They didn't play. Which made me think about the difference between winning and not losing.
Playing to win is one thing. Playing to not lose is something else entirely. Face it, if you don't play, you can't lose. The trouble is, you can't win either.
If you never spend money on promotions, you can't lose the money. If you never spend money on improving your store, you can't lose the money. If you never take the time to find out what your customers want and need, you'll never lose the time.
Since the television writers have gone out on strike, shutting down David Letterman for the time being, as a public service, MYOB offers a replacement Top Ten List, the Top Ten Ways to Not Lose:
10. Surround yourself with negative people.
9. Watch and read the news reports that explain why the economy's in the tank and consumers aren't going to be shopping for Christmas.
8. Don't keep your store displays fresh and current.
7. Don't keep your store clean, bright, and inviting.
6. Set your store hours for YOUR convenience, not your customers'.
5. Ignore the Internet, especially the social media.
4. Don't pay attention to what your competitors are doing.
3. Don't read Mine Your Own Business.
2. Don't waste money on advertising.
And the number one way to not not lose:
Don't ask for the sale every single time.
And don't forget Be Late and Rude
Posted by: Ralph Garcia | November 06, 2007 at 10:21 AM
Ralph,
Good one!
Posted by: Mike | November 06, 2007 at 10:39 AM
Great list!
Another one - don't try anything new!
Posted by: Liz Fuller | November 06, 2007 at 10:59 AM
Thanks, Liz. That makes twelve.
Posted by: Mike | November 06, 2007 at 11:22 AM
Hi Mike, you have a great list there.
How about make it 13 - Don't ask any helps from others(who willing to do so)
Posted by: Harrison | November 18, 2007 at 05:59 PM