In business, as in life, the way we perceive competition and success can shape everything we do. As someone who's worked with entrepreneurs, sales teams, and companies looking to grow, I've come to realize that there are some hard truths we all need to face before we can truly thrive. Here are four essential perspectives that I assess before taking on a new business client:
1. If I Can Sell Your Service or Solution, I Can Conceivably "Own" Your Business. Let’s face it—if someone else can sell your product or service better than you can, they can essentially step into your shoes. This doesn’t mean they’ll take your business, but it does mean you have to be prepared to innovate and improve constantly. Your value isn’t just in what you offer, but in how effectively you sell it. If I or someone else can sell it better, what does that say about your operation? This truth is at the core of every business I work with: if we can optimize your sales process, we can optimize your success. 2. There’s No Such Thing as Competition. The idea that someone can “steal” your business is a myth. Unless we’re talking about intellectual property, business concepts are free for all to use. If I start a similar business to yours, I’m not taking anything from you. In fact, markets are so vast and diverse that no one is left disadvantaged just because someone else starts something similar. There’s more than enough opportunity for everyone willing to create and sell something valuable. This mindset—understanding that we’re only in competition with ourselves—is key to creating a healthy, thriving business. 3. Success Is Personal. Success isn't a fixed measure—it’s a reflection of your own abilities and progress. The only real competition is between where you are now and where you could be in the future. When I work with clients, one of the first things we do is define their personal vision of success. What are the goals that truly matter to them? By setting clear, individualized benchmarks, we can track growth in a way that is deeply meaningful. Success isn't about winning a race against someone else; it’s about evolving and improving on your own terms. 4. No Business Agreement, No Obligations. This is a free country, and capitalism thrives on freedom—freedom to start, stop, change, or pivot at any time. If there’s no business agreement, there’s no obligation to continue any particular path. This perspective is critical in every client relationship I engage in. There must be clarity and fairness from the start. Business is about free choice and mutual benefit, and a capitalist mindset, grounded in fairness and opportunity, ensures that we build partnerships, not dependencies. Why This Perspective Matters Before Taking on a New Client. Before I decide to partner with a business, I need to know that both of us are on the same page. Are you ready to face these truths? Can you operate in a way that values innovation, personal success, and fairness? If not, there will always be a sense of victimhood or scarcity—and that’s not how businesses grow. The clients I work with understand that success is theirs for the taking, and that no one can steal what they are willing to earn. They don’t dwell on competitors; they focus on self-improvement. And they operate within a framework of freedom—knowing that they control their own success. In the end, the only thing that holds us back in business is our own mindset. Once we get that right, everything else can fall into place. If you’re ready to embrace these truths, then we might just be the right fit to work together.
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