Business Education

How to Deal with Bad, Fake Reviews

You work hard to give your customers a great experience and earn their trust. You’ve built a great reputation in your industry, but out of nowhere, comes this scorching online review. Aside from its negative connotation, you’re baffled by the fact that you have absolutely no idea who this person is or any recollection of this particular transaction. You quickly conclude that it’s a fake. Even so, others will surely see it and that’s just not good for business. So, what can you do about a bad, fake review?

Why Online Reviews Matter

Online reviews matter. They matter because people use them to judge the quality of a product or service. This is especially true on the internet because there’s no interpersonal input. Let’s face it, it’s a whole lot easier to read reviews than call and email dozens of people to get their feedback on something they might not even have purchased before.

These attacks can have huge consequences for a company’s bottom line. Eighty-five percent of people trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation and every one-star increase can lead to a 5 to 9 percent increase in revenue. Online reviews are also an important ranking signal in Google’s algorithm. —Forbes

This is widely understood and is the exact reason why nefarious individuals write bad, fake reviews. They are obviously trying to discourage others from doing business with the victim company. It’s probably a rival but it could be just about anyone — even someone who is just engaging in a malicious prank.

How to Deal with Bad, Fake Reviews

Regardless of who it is, you can’t let a bad, fake review hurt your reputation. You must do something about it. But, that doesn’t mean angrily snapping back. Here are a few helpful suggestions for how to deal with a bad, fake review:

Report the fake review. If you are certain it’s fraudulent, then contact the website where the review was left, whether it’s Facebook, Google, Yelp, or another. You’ll have to go through a process and it might take a bit of time and effort. So, be prepared for dedicating some resources.
Look for more bad impostors. Although you spotted this one, that doesn’t mean it’s the only one floating on the web. Search around to see if there are more because if it’s a concerted effort, chances are excellent there are more. (It might even be duplicated word-for-word on other sites.)
Respond, but do so strategically. When you do reply, write something like, “We take our customers’ experiences to heart. Unfortunately, we have no record or recollection of any transaction. If you’ve done business with us, we’ll be more than happy to look into the matter. Please contact [name] at [email] so we can mutually resolve this issue.” This probably won’t cause the fraudster to respond, but it does show you’re willing to take the matter seriously to others.

What other suggestions do you have for dealing with bad, fake reviews? Please take a moment to comment so others can learn about your thoughts and experiences!

Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

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How Entrepreneurs can Get Off the Hedonic Treadmill

May 20, 2021 No Comments

The hedonic treadmill is a trap that too many entrepreneurs (and others) fall into without actually realizing it. This perpetual cycle of returning to the same relative state of happiness is a phenomenon that was first officially recognized in the 1970’s. However, since that time, there’s been very little public awareness about it. Although, people of all kinds continue to experience it to this day, in particular, the most successful executives and business owners being among them. Fortunately, there are ways to escape this mindset. The Hedonic Treadmill Explained The hedonic treadmill is fairly easy to understand. It simply means that individuals return to their baseline of happiness after big accomplishments. Put another way, when someone reaches a worthwhile goal, he or she will only feel the euphoria of the accomplishment for a short period of time, and then return to his or her previous level of happiness. As soon as we hit a goal, we’re happy for a few days (or seconds) but then we quickly focus on the next (and bigger) thing we want to achieve. I’m totally guilty of this myself as well. And sure, there’s nothing wrong with that. But if you do, make sure it comes from the right place of mind. Make sure it comes from a place of abundance and not out of scarcity, or else it might just do some serious damage. Whenever you find yourself on the ‘hedonic treadmill’, it’s quite hard to get off. In fact, it’ll never stop until you consciously make it stop yourself. —Medium.com While that seems completely logical and understandable, it creates an ongoing cycle in which people attempt to return to that feeling of happiness time and again. In other words, the happiness of achieving the goal wears off and therefore, other goals must be reached to continue to feel that sense of reward. Obviously, this can easily lead to very unacceptable behaviors, including things that are ethically and morally wrong. Effective Ways Business Owners can Avoid the Hedonic Treadmill Like any other type of harmful cycle, one must recognize one’s own behavior in order to make the necessary corrections. As with other unhealthy practices, with a few strategic changes, it’s possible to step off the hedonic treadmill by doing the following: Practice gratitude. This is a very simple way to not only recognize, but relish accomplishments and put them into perspective. For instance, opening a new location in order to serve a growing customer base is a huge win for any business. However, there will be challenges with doing so and it certainly doesn’t mean there won’t be any obstacles to deal with in the future. So, feeling a sense of gratitude when it is deserved but understanding that there are still future challenges is essential. Be more optimistic. Most entrepreneurs are optimistic by the very nature. Still, there are going to be instances when even the most optimistic person lets their emotions turn pessimistic. Again, putting your thoughts and feelings into perspective will greatly help you deal with issues that arise in the course of doing business. Adopt a balanced life. Obviously, all work with very little or no play will certainly feed into someone being trapped on a business-centric, hedonic treadmill. If you are willing and able to strike a better balance, you’ll feel more satisfaction in your life overall. Accept certain limitations. Everyone has their limitations. While most entrepreneurs don’t like to accept their shortcomings, the ones who do and partner up with people who excel in areas where they lack, tend to be the most successful. So, know your limitations and play to your strengths. Set truly meaningful goals. There are many types of goals you can set as a business owner. But, the bottom line doesn’t have to revolve around all of them. For example, if you create a pleasant working environment, your employees will be grateful, which improves morale, and ultimately, makes it a great place of camaraderie. Our Client’s Top Salesperson is on the Treadmill. One of our clients has a top sales person that functions on a Hedonic Treadmill, so she has little empathy for others. As long as she keeps winning the next big deal, it reinforces the ongoing cycle of what seems to make her happy. Consequently, when deals are not closing, her demeanor causes challenges with our clients technicians and staff. What other suggestions do you have? Please take a few moments to share your thoughts and experiences so others can benefit from your unique perspective! Your input could really help someone out! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

How to Know When You’re Ready to Become Your Own Boss

May 24, 2017 No Comments

Everyone knows there’s risk involved starting a new business. Even though the wheel isn’t being reinvented, carving out market share is hard work. Most people like the comfort and security of having a job. The problem with this notion is the fact that it’s only an illusion. There’s just no guarantee the company won’t go out of business, downsize, or, require relocation. Still, these are not enough to motivate many people to take the initiative to go into business for themselves. It’s a fact: being an employee is far different from being an employer. However, there are people with dreams, visions, and, full of entrepreneurial spirit. You might be one, wanting to be your own boss, but, you’re unsure whether or not the time is right. How to Know when You’re Ready to become Your Own Boss There are many reasons to start a business, but, it’s often the case you can talk yourself out of enterprising with a few justifications. You might justify not to strike out because owning your own company makes your customers your boss. It could be that you’re uncertain about taking out a business loan. Perhaps you aren’t comfortable with managing employees without a corporate structure to back you. Thinking about starting a new business? Running a company can be an amazing adventure, and it can even give you more security than a regular day job. Being your own boss may sound like heaven on earth, but what you have to remember is that it’s still a lot of hard work. It’s easy to feel ready much earlier than you actually are, and it’s equally easy to let fear hold you back long after you should have jumped. —Entrepreneur.com Maybe you just aren’t ready to take-on a full-time venture without the guarantee of income. There’s no doubt about it, starting a new business is a challenge, but it’s not insurmountable. If you really have the urge to start your own business, you’re probably wondering how to know when it’s time, and, if you’re ready to become your own boss. Well, the following signs are great indicators that you’re ready to start your own business: You’ve done more than just think about it. If you’ve been running scenarios in your head, done long calculations, looked into costs, and, done market research, you are definitely readying yourself to start a new company. Putting time and effort into due diligence means you have more than just a little curiosity. Chances are excellent you want other qualifiers to substantiate going into business for yourself. You’re ready to take a measurable risk. Researching the market and running numbers means that you’re already looking for potential risks and rewards. You are investing your energy to be educated about costs and revenue. What’s more, if you’ve studied the competition and know the industry, you’ve likely identified pitfalls and where improvements can be made. You know your strengths and weaknesses. This goes right along with the first two indicators because it means that you’re accepting you have certain weaknesses and can do something about them. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses also means that you understand where you’ll need help and where you can take charge. You are ready to earn money on your own. If you’ve troubled by the fact you’re relying on someone else for your income, you’re definitely not alone. What you should know is that successful entrepreneurs do not usually hate their jobs, or, their bosses. Instead, they know their own potential isn’t being unleashed and want to strike out on their own. You want to build something for your family. Building a business and leaving a legacy is something that every entrepreneur envisions. It’s usually one of their biggest motivations for starting a new company. If you have this inclination, it’s time to start exploring the possibilities. If you’re still unsure about being your own boss, you don’t have to take a giant leap. Instead, you can start part-time and grow it incrementally. It often doesn’t require a lot of upfront capital to start a new business, just an actionable plan and a focused vision with a commitment to your dream and strong determination to pursue your dream relentlessly every day. Want to find out about what a business coach can do for you? [shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”26833294″]

November 22, 2017 No Comments

Elon Musk and Richard Branson are two names which really stand out. And, both stand apart from other business leaders. When people hear their names, they probably think about their brands. But, people equally associate their personality traits. Most notably, both individuals are leaders. However, they’re not just leaders — they are bold leaders. Take this Cue from Elon Musk and Richard Branson You might not regard yourself as an Elon Musk or Richard Branson personality. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t be bold. Remember, taking chances and being bold doesn’t mean you’re without fear. Also, it doesn’t mean you can simply look past your blind spot. But, it does mean you have an untapped capacity to go forward confidently. People who choose to be bold are inspiring not just because they get big things accomplished, but because they also instigate growth, progress, and movement for themselves and others around them. Sadly, far more people wait for someone who is bold to lead the way, hoping somehow luck will shine success upon them. —Inc.com Now, you’ll always have insecurities. And, you’ll always have to deal with critics. So, there’s no reason not to act bold. Of course, it might feel unnatural at first and a few tries might totally be a necessity. That’s okay because you’ll have to develop this trait over time. The trick is to balance it with pragmatism. Just don’t let your fears get out of control or give into complacency. How to Be Bold in Business When you’re in business for yourself, no one else will muster the same passion. It’s become a bit of a cliché, although the underlying point remains true. You just need to stay positive and put your doubts in check. Here’s a few suggestions for how to be bold in business: Dream big. If you’re an entrepreneur, chances are good you already dream big. But, not all people who go into business for themselves are big dreamers. Some people don’t like to dream big because it overwhelms them. So, if this describes you, give yourself permission to dream big. You’ll discover more about what you want and what you can achieve. Stay focused. While dreaming big is a great motivator, it’s not a straightforward path to success. To get from A to B, you’ll need a plan of attack. Do this by focusing in on one goal at a time. Each should represent a step in the right direction toward your ultimate goal. Don’t be intimidated. It’s quite easy to feel intimidated when you’re starting out and there’s already another established company plowing ahead. That’s okay, that company didn’t start where they are now. Keep this in mind and you can avoid feeling intimidated by others. Remember achieved goals. Always take time to reflect on the obstacles you overcame. When you put these in perspective, you’ll feel more confident. And, you’ll also realize you do have what it takes to succeed in business. In what ways are you bold? Have you found other traits which make a great leader? How else do you deal with fear? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

How to Deal with Bad, Fake Reviews

Why Online Reviews Matter

How to Deal with Bad, Fake Reviews

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How Entrepreneurs can Get Off the Hedonic Treadmill

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