BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY

by Deb Weidenhamer

This is the time of year when our thoughts turn to holiday niceties and warm feelings towards our fellow man. It is a time when we are cognizant of our actions and of our words. This is a period of reflection on the past and anticipation of upcoming events. It is also the season where we believe that resolutions can bring about change in our lives. It is with this sentiment in mind that I implore you to watch what you say; especially about your competitors.

When meeting with a potential client who asks about your competition, make sure you say something positive. To speak about a competitor in a negative way only makes you and your company look petty. Even if you know that the client’s choice to work with a competitor would be to the client’s detriment, make helpful suggestions about who the client might contact as another choice. The more you can say about a competitor that is positive the better it reflects on you and your business.

The industry as a whole, needs you to speak highly of the auction method of marketing and of other auctioneers. If you are experiencing problems with a competitor, attempt to contact the competitor directly and discuss your problem in an up front manner. More than likely you don’t understand each other, your company’s missions or circumstances that have decided reputations.

If the situation with your competitor is just too negative to even attempt to repair, you can try a very effective method -- Prayer. I pray for my competitors and for their businesses. I am sure that many of my competitors will need to be picked up off the floor to hear this, but it is true. I believe that prayer is extremely helpful in dealing with competitors. It is difficult to harbor ill feelings towards someone when they are in your prayers. It is equally challenging to say something negative about a competitor who you regularly discuss with God.

Most importantly don’t make your determination of a competitor’s business practices based upon the tales of your fellow auctioneers. There are so many stories that I have heard about other auctioneers that simply aren’t true, yet they have circled through the auction community for years. So for the new millennium make a resolution to pray for your competitors. And don’t forget to pray for yourself and your company – it will change your business and maybe change you too!