What can you do to "help" my business? If there's one thing that drives me nuts in my business life is when some aspiring entrepreneur corners me and says: "Gene, how can I help you in your business?" Successful and long-time business people could care less about “helping” me and my business. The fact is that when someone says “Gene, how can I help you in your business” it almost always means “Gene, how can you help ME in MY business.” If you're the person making this dopey, empty offer then my advice is to stop. OK, I’m listening and I’m expecting that the "help" (i.e. your product or service) will cut my costs. You sell cleaning services that will make my office a better place to work. You’ve got something I really want that will help me make more money in my business. Showing an interest in my business or my problems doesn't interest me either -- unless you're going to specifically solve them with the products or services you provide. Maybe you truly want to "help" me and my business. my answer is always "buy my products."
What can you do to “help” my business? Buy something. Vague promises aren’t going to cut it.
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If there’s one thing that drives me nuts in my business life is when some aspiring entrepreneur corners me and says: “Gene, how can I help you in your business?”
Wow, how sincere! This guy really wants to help little ‘ol me and my business? That’s so sweet! He must really care!
Oh, please. Anyone who’s been in business long enough has heard this silly line. The most typical place I hear it is at a networking event or on LinkedIn. People want to “get to know me” and “have coffee” or “chat for a few minutes.” They want to “better understand my business” and determine “mutual interests” so that they can “help.” It’s annoying.
Why? Because I never, ever hear this from typical business owners, especially those who are successful. Nine out of 10 times it’s from someone who’s either unemployed, starting up or struggling in their own business. Successful and long-time business people could care less about “helping” me and my business. They’ve got their own problems. The fact is that when someone says “Gene, how can I help you in your business” it almost always means “Gene, how can you help ME in MY business.”
If…
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