Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Is that the attitude of most business people?

I am currently working on a program that will take people ideas, help develop them and bring them to market.

About a month ago I met a friend from high school who works right under the owner of a steel supplier and deals with many different business people. 

Of course I started talking about business like I always do and presented to him my brief business concept, 

He instantly said it won`t work...

I asked why.

He replied that most business people don`t want to here ideas that will make their businesses more successful.

I replied "really"?

He said that would indicate to them that they were doing it wrong or that they weren`t good enough.

I  was amazed at his response. 

My question was ,  "What type of business owner would not want to know something that could make them more money?"

I have seen this type of attitude in the corporate world but I just figured that it was because these are not entreprenuers,  just middle management working their way up the food chain, those with no vision.   I never imagined that entreprenuers would be the same way.

To answer my own question,,"What type of business owner would not want to know something that could make them more money?",,    Those entreprenuers that are just waiting for some competition to put them out of business.

My question to you all is,

do you feel that it the case?

Do you feel most business owners are not interested in learning new things that would help there business?

or do you think that my friend John  just have a limited exposure to some bad business people?

Mike

It`s not that a select group of businesspeople think they know best but that all businesspeople think they know best about a certain THING.  An executive who spent 8 years in finance and getting an MBA will brush off or ignore someone who suggests a way to improve their corporation`s way of handling large transactions.  On the other hand, he might be very partial and open to someone who pitches a software application that will improve the corporate intranet because he may not know much about IT and technology.

The business owner of a growing bookstore franchise on the other hand, may refute and respond rashly to anyone who criticizes his taste in the authors or publishers he carries, but will probably hire an accountant or CFO as soon as possible.  The key is just to know what someone`s hot button is and where they`re much more open to compromise.  A little personal understanding and diplomacy can often go a long way to alleviating any workplace tensions that shouldn`t be there in the first place.

I`d just like to chime in here and say (knowing that I`m generalizing) that from my work experience, people always want to hear new ideas... as long as they`re the exact ideas they are about to propose. People embrace change... as long as they`re not the ones who have to change.
I would add that if the business people you deal with do have attitudes like that and aren`t willing to at least experiment with new ideas, you probably won`t have to worry... they won`t be in business very long.

great perspectives, But I must ask...

David, 

Does that mean a person who has an MBA in Finance knows  more about the best

 way to improve their corporation`s way of handling large transactions.

or is that executive making a potentially bad financial decision???

Vincent,

So I believe people are not likely to execute advise about how
to reach success. I do believe they will listen. I think the level of
action will depend on the personal connection you are able to
make with the advisee.

I like most of what you had to say,  I guess I just disagree with the above statement because I can count on one hand those type of business people I have encountered in my short 41 years on this earth..

We all know what`s best. :

That is what it comes down to??? We all know what`s best.   I guess that`s the reason why huge well established corporations go out of business because they think they know what`s best.

The learning lesson I have come away from this experience has one great upside, The more someone thinks they have all the answers the easier it is to compete against them. (As mentioned by Theswaynester)

people always want to hear new ideas... as long as they`re the exact ideas they are about to propose

That reminds me of the running joke, but is it a  joke, about how the secretary who suggests something to the boss and he says its junk,  then  the following weeks  he mentions to her this great Idea he had, which happens to be very similiar to the idea she had spoke to him about, a week earlier.

Mike

Now you know how so many experienced companies with experienced executives make horrible decisions?  Hubris will happen to us no matter what and the other extreme, not having any confidence in your opinions, is even worse.  After all, not believing in yourself is why so many people don`t even get to the starting gate. 

Mike, I think you have a good workable concept for entrepreneurs  just entering the business arena. From reading your question and all the other comments it seems your product is being perceived as “it knows best” you don’t concept instead of, I know you the business owner knows best for your company and my program will help you implement it. I take the position that yes a business owner knows what’s best for their company (or better) after all they have the big picture and any outside company of any kind will not. I agree with the others convincing an established owner that your product knows what’s best for them regardless of the field is a hard sell. Taking into account that an established business has already designed and implemented their business plan. Any diversion would be a “critical decision making process” or better be.  I again think you have a good idea it’s just being presented wrong. If I owned your product I would present it as a way for a business owner to generate, improve and implement THEIR business ideas.  Look at it another way take GM marketing their Corvette they don’t tell their customers they know what’s best for them or the correct way they should drive, they market it so the customer will want to use it to enhance their driving and learning experience. It’s just my 2cents. Good luck, and don’t let ANYONE discharge you if you want this you have a good concept.