The purpose of this post is for you to question things that are commonly touted by experts about running a small business. It does not mean they are wrong and I am right when it comes to running a small business. I want you to be aware that sometimes they are right and sometimes they are wrong and not being aware of when it is right or wrong can lead to you running your business into the ground. This is to help you create awareness and build a better business with more profits.

Running a small business statement #1 Working hard gets you success

I know the American dream states that if you work hard you can become everything, nah. That my friend is not true. What it should read is that if you work hard, on the right things, at the right time, then you can make enough money to become anything.

Make sure the work you do matters. Make sure the work you do moves you closer to what you want and want to be in life. If it does not, stop, reflect and change what you do.

Running a small business statement #2 You have to be first

Being first is scary and very risky. Take Sony with their Walkman, nobody listened to music in public before. Would that be received as rude or antisocial? It is a risk they had to take. Being first means people might not know how your product or service fits into their lives. That means high marketing costs to educate your market.

I like being a follower because I can see where the others made mistakes and avoid them without having to pay the price.

Running a small business statement #3 The best product always wins.

I actually worked with such a business. They had a superior product but was in development for a long time. There was an amazing market need for what they did. But there was another company with a much worse product but they did amazing marketing and they sold like mad. Good sales goes a long way in getting people to buy. Did the clients come back to them, well, this is not the point of discussion, but they have a client book and like all relationships, things can be fixed. But you cannot fix a relationship if you do not have them on your books now can you?