Cost-Aware and Cost-Ignorant
Cost-Aware and Cost-Ignorant
Whatever the case may be, I've been thinking about these two newsletters and their contents for the past two days. It occurred to me that home-based Internet entrepreneurs are just like their 1980s counterparts in that they refuse to pay for anything. You would think that after all their failed ventures, they would finally get it: they didn't do their homework, they didn't create a business plan, and they didn't find out if there was a local demand for their product or service. Their mission statements are nonexistent. I have so much more to say.
Far too many people still hold the outdated belief that a computer, fax machine, and business cards are all that is necessary. Actually, instead of handing out business cards, they save them in neat little folders in their office. It is helping them a great deal.
Instead of investing in training, guidance, or advice, they'll shell out cash for all the accoutrements. "You will be the most organized business in bankruptcy court," Chuck warned me when I launched my first company without advertising it. It served as a reminder.
People are always trying to pick our brains for solutions and information, as Jim and JL mentioned and as Chuck and I encounter on a daily basis. They have been led to believe that IT IS FREE. They think it's only fair that they act this way.
Information is perceived as being freely available, particularly on the Internet. Indeed, it is; but, all among us who have specialized knowledge and have authored books all dedicate a great deal of time, energy, and resources to studying our subjects, crafting our works, and promoting them. SO, NO, IT WILL COST YOU. We expect to be compensated for the outstanding items that we labored so hard to create.
These people also suffer from overblown senses of self-importance. If you want my assistance, you'll have to pay for it. No, I'm absolutely certain that my approach is correct. Unfortunately, no one seems to value my excellent service, product, etc. I'm on par with, if not better than, that person.
Paying someone to point out their mistakes is something that would never occur to them. Another option is to buy a book or enroll in a class. They insist that it's not that and that something else is at play. They are never held responsible; instead, it is attributed to other people or external factors.
Regrettably, this conduct was encouraged beginning in the 1980s, when home-based enterprises were only beginning to gain traction. It was widely promoted in the 1980s (and even more so on the Internet) that ANYONE can start a business from the comfort of their own home. Those magazine kits that included things like medical records, basket weaving, Word Processing, etc., are long gone. Many bought them and even followed their lead. While some excelled, others were perplexed as to why they fell short.
There were a number of reasons why they failed. To start, the backbone, the physical labor, was completely ignored. They wanted to be sure this company could actually succeed in their area before committing. If so, researching the market, developing a strategy, and articulating goals would all be necessary steps. Organizing their objectives into daily, weekly, monthly, and long-term plans. Promoting an event, coordinating with various news outlets, developing a strategy for advertising, and making professional connections.
Everything that the business owners before us done to ensure our continued existence. "Penny wise and pound foolish!" applied to us. We intend to get paid for all the hard work, effort, and knocks that went into our success. We have no intention of offering it for free.
Intellectual property of DeFiore Enterprises 2003 S.A.
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