We see it too many times: a business owner who is just after your money or is just looking to make a sale. It's a sad reality in the world that there are owners out there who know how to play the game and how to make a fool out of customers. The purpose of this article is to help people understand the qualities that a genuine business owner should have and what people should look out for.
#1: A Business Owner Should Always Be Willing to Admit Imperfections And Fault
Imperfections are always going to be a part of our lives, both personally and professionally. I'm sure all of you have seen various guarantees or promises by businesses for a top result in a short period of time. A genuine owner is the kind that will admit that their product is not perfect and that it is a work in progress. A business owner should, of course, stand by the effectiveness of their products and services, but he or she must not be afraid to admit imperfections about their products/services, and their business.
#2: A Business Owner Must Be Available And Willing To Answer Many Questions About Their Products, Services, and Criticisms
If there's one key trait an owner must possess in order to be successful, it is a willingness to answer questions. Prospective clients will always have questions about products and services. It is the responsibility of the owner to be able to answer those questions effectively without evading them. If they do not know the answer, they need to communicate that openly to the client and research the answer to give to the client at a later time.
Any business owner who tries to evade questions or is unwilling to answer questions should be a dead giveaway that the owner is not genuine. Enduring questions and criticism is a key part of success in a business. Those questions and critcisms can provide an opportunity for the owner to improve their business if they make the best use of such opportunities.
#3: A Business Owner Should Be More Concerned About Learning About The Customer, As Opposed To Making A Sale
This is a tough one because every business is different, and some depend on the sale more than other businesses such as car salespeople and sales positions at various companies. My educational background has taught me that it is better to focus on the customer and their goals and needs as opposed to getting them to buy a product. I feel this makes the owner more genuine because they really learn about the customer and can better assist the customer in getting them the right product and service. It is also just as important to let the consumer decide on their own time whether they should buy the product or service as opposed to badgering them on the spot to purchase it.
Again, all businesses are different and some depend on making sales more than others. However, it is my personal belief that a business owner who spends time learning about the customer and letting them make their own decision on their own time comes across as a more genuine owner because the owner has placed the decision in the consumer's hands, where it should have been from the very start.
