Things You Should Know If You Want to Talk About Your Competition

Remember the saying, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all?”  It might have been good manners while you were growing up, but does the same hold true in business?

It’s tempting to disparage your competition or “gossip” as some would say.  Pointing out differences in quality, price and attendance is “part and parcel” of doing business: but the way you do it says a lot about your corporate culture.

When you talk about your competition, colleague or contractor, you’re doing three things:

  1. Confusing the audience. In the fast-paced event environment, you can never take it for granted that they know who YOU are, much less who you’re talking about.
  2. Giving credibility to the entity or person you’re trying to disparage.  No one tries to tear down the worst in the world — if you’re attacking someone, even verbally, it must be because you’re worried about them.
  3. Adding an aura of unpleasant nastiness to your reputation. You are your own ambassador. Being jealous or mean-spirited isn’t a positive way to be perceived
  4. Remember that “Perception = Reality”

Leave a Reply