Ignoring Problems:
- The old adage that problems get worse with age really is true. In the beginning stages of my Internet career, there were problems such as feeling stuck to deal with a certain supplier due to time constraints. So, I decided to go on with this certain supplier but much to my dismay, the customer service they provided was weak and continued to grow worse with the passage of time. For a while, I decided to look away in hopes that it would improve. I finally woke up the guts to dismiss this supplier at the price of losing creditability with my customers.

Lesson Learned:
Handle problems in a timely manner. Problems will not got away, nor will they get better on their own.

Giving up control:
I also encountered times where I’d listen to an “expert” regarding what I should do about a certain situation. However, my gut instincts told me that this persons’ suggestions were wrong. I thought, this person was an “expert” and so I turned my control over. It turned out costing me many hardships.

Lesson learned:
Be in charge no matter what! Stay in control. After all, who knows more about your business than you do? Utilize the experts, but don’t feel intimated by them if their advice doesn’t feel right. Consult your mind but also your heart!

Not understanding whom I had to please:
I had forgotten to ask myself who the “real boss” was. I had worked very hard to please the wrong people and not focus on the people who would benefit from my expertise.

Lesson learned:
Establish up front who your target market is. Cater to this market and check in frequently for their feedback on your products/services.

Not giving the customer what he/she wants:
Not only did I not listen, I didn’t bother to validate requirements to running a successful business. I thought I knew even better than the customer what they really needed. Well, the customer found someone who would give them specifically what they wanted and not what I had decided they needed.

Lesson learned:
Listen to your customer’s needs carefully. If you disagree with their solution, advised them. If the solution does not work for both involved, decide whether you can keep your integrity and their business by doing it their way. Always keeping in mind NOT to ignore the customer’s wants and needs.

Underestimating the competition:
I was so busy concentrating on my business and clearly thinking that I was on top of the game when the effort of aggressively comparing what the competition was up too fell by the wayside.

Lesson learned:
No matter how caught up on your business you become, do not forget on putting forth your best effort to find out what the competition is up too.

My hope is that the above will help you “Avoid Making These Business Mistakes” as well and that your business prospers to the fullest extent possible…Here’s to your business success!

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Sonia Yvette Colon is writer/publisher of My Fashion E-Mall Blog & The Biz Buzz of a Latina Mom Blog!
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