For my column this week, the editors of the Financial Post asked me to contribute to their “Out with the Aughts” series marking the end of the decade. I took this as a cue to talk about some of the bad habits that Canadian businesses have picked up since 2000.
Based on the comments I've received, a lot of people identify with these bad habits. So let’s all look forward to eliminating them in 2010.
• If you build it, they will come: Simply setting up a website won't bring thousands of customers to your door.
• Wilful blindness: The tendency to say, "We can get along perfectly well without..." (choose your innovation: Facebook, Twitter, colour printers, spreadsheets, profit-sharing, consultants, a sales rep in Red Deer).
• Hire now, ask questions later: We are seeing a return to diligent resume (and reference)checking.
• Low-dollar denial: Business owners understand that they have to reinvest in productivity or fall behind.
• Take a number and wait: Businesses today have to run on customer time.
• Competing on price: Clients today have more choices than ever, so you must create the best customer experience you can afford.
• Exporting is for Experts: E-commerce makes exporting possible for just about everybody.
• Treating customers as a mass: It takes only a moment, sometimes just a word, to make customers feel special.
• Neglecting Trust: Say what you do, do what you say. Dance as if everyone's watching.
• Negativity: We are privileged to live in a time of unremitting change. For resourceful, optimistic entrepreneurs, the next decade could be a perfect 10
For more details and the full story, click here.
I wish you a safe, healthy and prosperous new year.
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