You Know the Names
Sometimes, when I write, I expect a huge response.....and get crickets. Other times when I write, I have muted expectations....and the post goes viral. The latter happened a few days ago when I wrote about an unnamed business that operates with a high level of self-unawareness. They alienate their potential customer base on social media, they treat their patrons like dirt, they don't invest in their staff, and they do a handful of other disrespectful and self-destructive practices. Whether you know this particular business or not, you absolutely know someone like them in your own life. My call to action was simple: Stop investing your dollars and time into these businesses that don't deserve it, and start investing in the ones that do.
On the heels of that post, dozens of people have reached out to ask what business I was talking about. My response was simple. If they could guess, I'd let them know. If not, it will forever remain a secret. After thinking about it, people have guessed countless businesses in or around my city. Some I've been to, and some I haven't. What's interesting, though, is the collection of businesses being suggested by people. For many of them, I would absolutely include them on this list. That tells me most people are just as aware as me as to how poorly some businesses are treating people. Yet, we continue to give them business.
I'm so happy people are pondering this idea through the lens of their own life. As fate would have it, we're thinking about the same businesses. The businesses people are bringing up are some of the same ones that have continually let me down. That overlap should tell us something. This is the opportunity we have. Nothing will happen if I just stop patronizing some of these businesses. I'll undoubtedly stop either way, but my specific influence won't move the needle. However, several of you have guessed the same collection of businesses in our town. Translation: Together, we CAN move the needle.
I'll continue not to name names, but here's a little insight. Whatever business you think I'm talking about, you're right. Deep down, you know who they are. Maybe not the exact one, but you know exactly who they are in your own world. My opinion isn't important, but yours is.
Just in the last few weeks, I've added two more businesses to my blacklist. On one hand, this is sad. I want to like and patronize these businesses, but they've lost the right to serve me. That sucks. On the other hand, that means there's more time and money to invest in other businesses. That's a huge win and a big opportunity (for both me and these prospective businesses).
Let's continue to expect better from the businesses around us. Serving people is a privilege, not a right. Make businesses earn the right, and allow them the opportunity to re-earn the right to do it again. That's a beautiful relationship!