F-Words That Matter (in Business)
By Terry Brock, For DSound and Steemit
Our world is changing rapidly. To keep up with those changes, our language has evolved. We often hear about people using “the F word” or dropping an “F bomb” regularly. I won't argue about the advantages or disadvantages of using certain language (this is a family and conservative publication). Instead, I suggest some “F words” for my fellow entrepreneurs that can give you some serious motivation and assistance in your work.
Here are seven “F words” that really matter in business:
Failures. We can and should learn from them. Recently when I was over in England and Germany, I had conversations with friends who talked about the difference between their countries and the United States. Often, in other countries, if someone fails, they are considered a failure for life. In the United States we regularly look at failure as a good thing –– if you learn from it. Successful people learn from failures and grow. Don't waste an educationally-rich failure! If you're not failing at something, you're probably not trying hard enough.
Free. This is a word that can liven up your sales. By offering carefully, and strategically-planned free options of your products and services, you can attract prospects who later become customers. No, don't give away the farm, but figure out what you can offer that is of value to your target market and low or no cost to you. Do this while using the free item to generate sales later.
Features. Be careful about focusing on the features of your product or service. Your customer doesn't care about features. They want the solution to their problem. The old adage is appropriate today: They don't want the drill, they want the hole in the wall that the drill can create. Avoid the tendency of talking about your features and get inside your customer's skin to help them. Empathize with your customer's pain. Use features only to back-up what your product or service can do to help.
Friends. In today's world we find that we become friends with customers. This is part of building relationships. Operating in a friendly, pleasing manner serves to facilitate your success. Even enemies have now become known as “frienemies,” –- not really enemies, but friendly competitors. Embracing a likable manner and style about your presence can help your career immensely.
Forgetaboutit – This is “New York speak” for focus on the big things that matter and forget about the little things that don't. This also applies to most of the challenges that we run into in life between people. Don't let it get to be such a big deal. Think of it like the proverbial "water off a duck's back.” Forget about the little details that don't matter so you can focus on the bigger aspects of life and business.
Focus. If you're like me, you know the Internet can be very distracting. There is so much good content available it can take you away from what is most important. Discipline your mind to avoid the B and even B+ activities to focus on your A+ and A activities. It will take practice, but it is well worth the effort.
Fun! Today's work is largely knowledge- and innovation-related. Fun facilitates innovative thinking. Create a workplace that has an appropriate amount of fun built in so that people feel comfortable, motivated and happy. This facilitates creativity, which is critical for success today.
These are a few of the “F words” that can help you get ahead as an entrepreneur. Learn and grow from these and you'll find the future fabulous.
Let me know what you think. I look forward to your comment.
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