4 ms·

Rule number 1 of business: No matter what, regardless of who is right or wrong, never, ever antagonize or nurture a conflict with anyone. Especially not a poten

by kt9 14y ago

Rule number 1 of business: No matter what, regardless of who is right or wrong, never, ever antagonize or nurture a conflict with anyone. Especially not a potential customer. If you can't get someone onboard as a customer, work on figuring out why and building a relationship so maybe you can get them onboard later. Edit: Also wanted to add that if someone uses your beta product you should be thanking them for taking the time to try out your new product (and hopefully giving you feedback) rather than expecting them to thank you.

eranation 14y ago
Yep, not just of business, my rule for any personal conduct.
aneth4 14y ago
That is rule number 1 of business like "be nice" is rule number 1 of dating. Many great personal brands and businesses are launched and made with antagonism. Steve Jobs, Donald Trump, Richard Branson, Larry Flynt, Steve Ballmer, Rush Limbaugh, George W Bush, ... the list goes on of characters who have used antagonism successfully for personal and corporate marketing, and to divide the world between strong followers and detractors instead of a sea of disinterest. If you are right or interesting, there is nothing wrong with being a little antagonistic. Intelligently picking a fight can bring much needed attention. That said, this is not a case of being right or interesting - only immature and asinine. They did successfully get a major influencer to write about them, and if the old adage about any press applies, then it was a success. This is not the way I would want to appear or conduct business, but it may actually be better than being ignored.
- larrys 14y ago
  "They did successfully get a major influencer to write about them, and if the old adage about any press applies, then it was a success." Exactly. It's like WD40. The carrier wears off and the active ingredient remains and does the work.

by kt9 14y ago

eranation 14y ago

Yep, not just of business, my rule for any personal conduct.

aneth4 14y ago

That is rule number 1 of business like "be nice" is rule number 1 of dating. Many great personal brands and businesses are launched and made with antagonism. Steve Jobs, Donald Trump, Richard Branson, Larry Flynt, Steve Ballmer, Rush Limbaugh, George W Bush, ... the list goes on of characters who have used antagonism successfully for personal and corporate marketing, and to divide the world between strong followers and detractors instead of a sea of disinterest. If you are right or interesting, there is nothing wrong with being a little antagonistic. Intelligently picking a fight can bring much needed attention. That said, this is not a case of being right or interesting - only immature and asinine. They did successfully get a major influencer to write about them, and if the old adage about any press applies, then it was a success. This is not the way I would want to appear or conduct business, but it may actually be better than being ignored.

larrys 14y ago
"They did successfully get a major influencer to write about them, and if the old adage about any press applies, then it was a success." Exactly. It's like WD40. The carrier wears off and the active ingredient remains and does the work.