I compared the two professionals and here are the seven business lessons I got from him:
Lesson 1: When you are wrong, admit it
It is common culture for people to use denial as a defense mechanism once they are accused of wrong doing. Politicians have perfected this art and unfortunately even business people are getting good at this: most commonly to counter wrong publicity. However, whenever, a customer justifiably dislikes your services or products, admit it and then you will be able to have solutions to the problem, rather than denying and losing out on future business.
I know what you are thinking. The customer is always right, yes? Well, not always. Some customers take advantage of this phrase and cross the line. You may be afraid of losing future business to the customers but only admit you are wrong when the problem is truly the business’ fault or help the client get alternative services.
Lesson 2: Success requires mistakes
It is human to make mistakes, thus we are able to learn. When you make mistakes in your business, do not give up. Who knows, new opportunities may come up. As a chef, one is required to create new recipes and the best way to have the best meal is by making mistakes and learning from them until the recipe is perfected.
Lesson 3: Some lessons will hurt
In business you should be open to the criticisms you receive. Some feedback may be good, while some may be negative. Remember, negative opinion is good.
Lesson 4: You will not always like peoples’ methods and ideas
Businesses may have similar goals and objectives but entrepreneurs have different techniques of achieving these goals. You may not like people’s methods of handling business, but be resilient as long as you are working towards a common goal. With the various personalities, people have different methods of working. They are more productive when they work within their personalities.
Lesson 5: You will need passion and hard work
Millions of people love to cook but it takes dedication, discipline and most of all, passion to succeed in business. While creating new recipes, a chef is not willing to give up till a brilliant recipe is created. Entrepreneurs should realize that the more they are passionate about something, the more they are willing to make it succeed.
Lesson 6: Let your customers be your evangelists
The best way for a chef to get more referrals and customers is by preparing irresistible meals. This way, clients will keep coming back for more and even bring their friends to their restaurants. They will work to ensure that the meals, the service and venues are at par and pleased customers will market meals at no cost.
One of the common mistakes entrepreneurs make is use expensive media to advertise and underestimate the use of referrals. For startups and small businesses the easiest way to get more business is by getting customers to evangelize about your products and services.
Lesson 7: Be memorable and unique
Every chef knows that one of the best ways to get business is by being unique in the way s/he prepares meals. Chefs know that clients will always remember unique taste and presentation. Similarly, we should focus on being entrepreneurs: have new and unique solutions to societies’ needs.
Lesson 8: Share your recipes
This is simple. Interact with other business people, customers and investors. Network, by sharing your experience, you can inspire, get more business and get new brilliant ideas. You can use peoples’ criticism innovatively to seal any loopholes in your business to become more productive and successful.
