Competition

Shark1611 · #1 08-28-2011, 04:05 PM

I love this form and have got so much use out of it. A thing that has been bugging me for some while is if my competition looks over my post and or my customers. Seems like I might be giving out information that could come back on me. I guess what I am saying is I wish there were a way that it was a bit more secure.

mark123 · #2 08-28-2011, 05:01 PM

Lawn care business tips

"Say it forget it. Write it regret it."

The internet is public. Just treat it like that.

__________________
Boughter's Lawn Care Services Mowing and Fertilizing in New Castle, PA

CHEESE2009 · #3 08-28-2011, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shark1611

I love this form and have got so much use out of it. A thing that has been bugging me for some while is if my competition looks over my post and or my customers. Seems like I might be giving out information that could come back on me. I guess what I am saying is I wish there were a way that it was a bit more secure.

I feel the same, good point.

Hedgemaster · #4 08-29-2011, 12:51 AM

Does your truck have "Shark1611 - Texas Hill Country" written on it?

If not, what kind of things are you posting that would prompt someone to try to figure out who you are and where you work?

It would be nice though if this forum had a "Lounge" section where only registered users could view the posts. That way if you wanted to tell a story, but didn't so much want it connected to your business (wouldn't show up in a Google search), you could post away.

CHEESE2009 · #5 08-29-2011, 03:53 AM

The same reason we all may (or may not) look into peoples Facebook's before we hire. With the ability to do background checks on our own in this day and age - the more privacy one would need is difficult to obtain. Our clients do the same, trust me on this. I have a fake account with requests from my clients.

We may not post anything to damage our companies, but in business, everything is a risk.

If I want to complain about a certain client, if I want to talk about my current problems, or if I want advice on a situation - none this will keep our clients confident in us. Sure we are human, but not to our clients.

We can choose to not post certain things, however, wouldn't it be more relaxing if we knew who has or is not reading our posts, in order to have more freedom and discuss more in depth problems?

A quick Google search on every one of us can lead to a post about a client who we may have offended, money problems, our constant bad luck with the equipment, our possible lack of experience, or even ways we try to sell our service - not to mention when we go off about how bad our days can be. If we mention that we bought product for $5 and sold it for $500, this could cause a lot of problems - we all have that one "crazy" client who does his research and just like we get our clients by word of mouth, they can all be taken away.

"Sir, our client knows you think her legs look hot in that little red outfit"

We all share a similar life, and this place is home away from home and you can't disagree. I wouldn't go to anyone else to talk about this junk, so I let my steam off here. Hmm...

Steve · #6 08-29-2011, 11:30 AM

Quote:

It would be nice though if this forum had a "Lounge" section where only registered users could view the posts. That way if you wanted to tell a story, but didn't so much want it connected to your business (wouldn't show up in a Google search), you could post away.

That is a great idea. Do you think it would make a big difference for members?

CHEESE2009 · #7 08-29-2011, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

That is a great idea. Do you think it would make a big difference for members?

Well it would for sure eliminate the problem of being frowned upon by our clients, etc.

The only thing I can see, is that many of us might only use that section, leaving nothing for the guests to read. I doubt it though, but it's a variable!!!!

Maybe make it exclusive for certain discussions? Hey, it'll surely get more people to join!

I know I love to rant, it's what keeps me going. hahahaha!!!!

ringahding1 · #8 08-29-2011, 06:25 PM

The internet rules info...I'd say leave names out(unless it's positive). Anybody can find what you just found out or want to share about business, because it has already most likely been written or researched.

I don't know what the statistics are when it comes to competition or customers finding out what you wrote or what you have talked about, but chances are it's VERY VERY SMALL...and if they do find it, ahhhh sooooo....there will be more customers and more competition.

Have you ever posted something publicly and received negative feedback? I have, and I always remember stay professional/civil IF I respond back to the negativity.

Worrying never got me anywhere.

Shark1611 · #9 08-30-2011, 07:47 AM

Lot of good ideas here and thanks for responding. I think what I am going to do is stop my posting, and watch and learn from you guys that know so much about the business.

Do any of you know how to delete a post?

Thanks again!

Hedgemaster · #10 08-30-2011, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

That is a great idea. Do you think it would make a big difference for members?

I dunno, but we have that type of section on a forum I moderate.

Basically, anything not related to the main focus of the forum goes there, and we allow a little more "slack" in the types of topics that are posted there as opposed to what is posted in the rest of the forum since it's not able to be viewed by the public - that is, unless they take a second to join.

Competition

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