Simple Ways to Destroy Your Business

[linkB2B]

1. Lack of Reliability or Predictability

Regardless of the products or services you offer, your customers will depend on you to provide them with a level of predictability and reliability. Inconsistency or lack of reliability can lead to decreased sales numbers, and even previously loyal customers can jump ship.
2. Poor Communication

The key to staying connected with your customers is to maintain open communication at all times. When a situation arises that can cause an interruption in services, a decrease in quality, or cause you to extend your deadlines, don’t refrain from communicating your concerns with your customers out of fear of losing them to a competitor. Withholding this type of information can lead to the very thing you’re trying so hard to avoid.
3. Not Choosing Your Words Wisely

It’s imperative that your marketing materials and website copy clearly outline exactly what it is you’re able to offer your customers. Exaggerating your products or services can not only lead to unhappy customers, but can even lead to charges of false advertising.
4. Failing to Own Up to Your Mistakes

If you slip up, regardless of the size of your mistake, always make sure you acknowledge the mistake and do whatever it takes to fix it. Your customers aren’t stupid, and they’ll certainly notice your mistakes eventually, regardless of whether you take responsibility for them or not. And if you take responsibility before they notice, your honesty and maturity will be respected – and rewarded with continued business.
5. Being Too Secretive

Your customers will naturally want to protect their own privacy, but not divulging enough information about yourself and your business can make them leery to do business with you. If they have to hunt around for who is behind your company, where you’re located, etc., they’ll wonder what you have to hide. By placing basic business information in plain sight on your website and marketing materials, you show prospective customers that your business is legit.
6. Inflating Your Business Size

Passing your business off as something bigger than it really is can be a huge mistake. Often times, customers prefer to do business with smaller businesses. Small businesses are often more organized and more attentive to their customers’ needs. More importantly, you risk being seen as dishonest if you pretend to be big and your customers find out you’re really a small business.
7. Failing to Turn Down the Wrong Work

As a small business owner, it can be incredibly difficult to turn any opportunities down. A common mistake that a lot of owners of small businesses make is taking on more customers or projects than they can realistically handle. Know what your limitations are, and try not to exceed them. Additionally, don’t be afraid to turn away projects that don’t fit into your company’s vision and mission. The money might be good in the short term, but the decision to deviate from the main focus of your business can spell disaster.

[AlbionColt]

You are right these are basic points that can destroy our business. According to my opinion business just focus on getting customer instead of rating.

[mikenielson]

To get success in business,it is really necessary to have command on all these points otherwise business will surely destroy.

[Rigmonkey]

I have one to add to the mix here.

Bullshitting!

To those of a weaker disposition, apologies for the language. Seriously though, nobody likes a bullshitter and in the world of business, it doesn't take long before your lies are exposed. Honesty is an amazing business tool. When we work alongside others, we work with flesh and blood human-beings who have the same feelings, emotions and failings as everybody else.

If you've screwed up, admit it. Take the knocks, listen to the opinions of disappointed clients and sympathise. Ask the right questions to find out why you went wrong and most importantly, always ask what you can do to fix things and make the situation right.

Don't sweep things under the carpet by telling porkies. There is nothing in this world that will kill your business faster than bullshit.

[Thejeongus]

If you've screwed up, admit it. Take the knocks, listen to the opinions of disappointed clients and sympathise. Ask the right questions to find out why you went wrong and most importantly, always ask what you can do to fix things and make the situation right.

I agree! I have kept several clients (and I would say actually strengthened the business relationship) by admitting fault (where it was due) and doing everything I could to make it up to the businesses - naturally they took very kindly to this (as it doesn't seem to happen often) and they are still with me and actually refer other businesses as well!

[Rigmonkey]

I think part of the bigger story here revolves around the fact that many people involved in our particular field of work are self-starters who learn as they go. By and large, I work with people who are exactly the same as I am and they make mistakes along the way too. They can sniff out bullshit a mile off because they've been there and you can't pull the wool over their eyes. It's all very 'street' but it does cut away with much of the crap.

Be honest, and use your mistakes as an opportunity to impress.

[KaitaHarris]

It doesn't matter in the slightest to me how good (or bad) my hosting company's backup process might be. I treat it as if it doesn't even exist.

I maintain my own backups (both local and off-site) for all of my website content. Sure, it's a bit of a pain maintaining the backups in an up-to-date state. Much less pain, though, than trying to recover from a loss that isn't adequately backed up.

[OnefortheMoney]

It doesn't matter in the slightest to me how good (or bad) my hosting company's backup process might be. I treat it as if it doesn't even exist.

I maintain my own backups (both local and off-site) for all of my website content. Sure, it's a bit of a pain maintaining the backups in an up-to-date state. Much less pain, though, than trying to recover from a loss that isn't adequately backed up.

Take your spam and shove it up your jacksy. I've got better things do with my time than chase around after you. Says goodbye to your signature, your other posts and your account. Don't bother coming back.

Spamming is a great way to destroy your business too. Learn from it.