It’s never wise to take the word of what stories you may have heard or what you have decided to allow your mind to create about a product and/or person as the full truth based on only sketchy details that you may have.
Nobody likes to be accused of something they didn’t do or hear stories about them that isn’t totally true, whether in business or in our personal lives. And yet, people still make assumptions, even when it never does any good for anyone. But why do we still do it? Is it a natural phenomenon that we are unable to control? I am not so sure, I think often it is for a person/business to try and get one over on you or catch you out and try an catch your company, your product or your integrity out ultimately to stimulate their own ego.
If it is internal assumption based on 'office hear say' which turns out to be wrong then this can be even more detrimental to your business as if you make an assumption of a staff members integrity it can be very difficult for them to build up their trust in you again.
Assumptions often happen as a result of lack of knowledge or information about the situation. We often get part of a scenario and fill the rest with perhaps what we believe to be experience or intuition or what seems to fit. This is when the person making the assumption risks their own credibility if indeed the assumption is wrong. In business when the 'hear say' they have used rather than FACTto bring down a competitor/product/person it is ultimately their own product or service or self integrity that is effected, and has the complete opposite effect.
The plan possibly through sub-conscious is to try and build their own profile and to perhaps look like some sort of oracle in business with that client/prospect and looking to ensure the relationship of the subjectthey have made assumptions about is held down in the mindset of that client/prospect.
Sometimes accidents can happen to the best of us, and surely it is human nature, when an assumption has been made against something in which you THOUGHT was correct but it turns out was wrong. On these occasions often there is still a chance for reconciliation and generally 'Sorry' immediately after is suffice. But again, sometimes pending on the character of that person embarrassment will take over and as Elton said ''Sorry seems to be the hardest word''.
But if you are the victim, I would suggest that if that person who has made the assumption of you or your business cannot come clean and apologise for the false claims made that you allow them to waller in their self guilt and embarrassment.
There is little or rather no benefit at all in making up stories based on assumptions - based on information that is not entirely fact, and filling in gaps. Not only will your nonsense hurt the person or business subjected to them especially if it has questioned their integrity or their product, but it will also gravely hurt the reputation of you and your integrity if proved wrong. If you feel that you are entitled to know something you THINKmay have happened, the first thing to do is ask the person directly.
Why we should all stop making assumptions
Assumptions are a toxic practice which where possible we all should restrain from in business. Not only does it go against basic business etiquette, but it would also ruin the reputations of both parties, which in turn, ruins business for both.
Try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes - would you like it when other people or 3rd parties, who don’t know the whole story, make things up about you and your business? Or would you rather they ask you for clarification?
Obviously, the latter would be the more desirable and less problematic way of doing things, and you would hope that with years of business knowledge that certain people and businesses would have learnt basic communication expectations within a business format.
Stop making assumptions, and instead ask for the truth. Educate yourself with information that is from an unimpeachable source.
If you Get your facts straight
Asking for facts is definitely better than making assumptions as you will be in the position to make an informed next step. Furthermore, you wouldn’t be risking the reputation and well-being of your business in the process, or of that of the relationship you previously had.
But of course, making assumptions sometimes seems like an easy way to handle situations where asking for the truth may be uncomfortable, for example when you ask your colleague if they enjoys working for your business, or by asking clients why they haven't responded to your email all. The truth may not always be something we like, but it sure is better to know the facts and the real reason why something happened the way it did. When asking questions, avoid pushing blame, and use a neutral tone. Sticking to what you know and the facts that are available to you when asking questions will also make you sound less judgemental.
Luckily for Octus we promote to never intentionally disrespect our competition. We are happy to say that we get on with many of the businesses and contacts of these businesses we are aiming to compete against. Why? Because at the end of the day, we are all trying to do the same thing - provide for our families/home life, build our career, and grow our product/business etc.
We are, so far, happy that we have knowingly been targeted by competition using any tactics possible to gain a competitive advantage. However, we have seen on social media with marketing campaigns and even on some company websitesthe temptation to verbally and visually put down competition,looking to create an image that a prospecting client can ‘assume’ is correct, thus, tarnishing that competition’s image and growth. (But don't take my word for it)
Generally, if you are in a market with many players like ours it’s very likely that you are in that market because of the large variety of clients within it. Not every recruitment business has the same requirements and we are very comfortable pitching in a different product if after qualification we have decided that another product would be a moresuitable solution for that client. And trust me, when I have done this it is very liberating. To be able to recommend a competitor's product after learning we are not suitable the most suitable solution for a client instantly improves credibility not only with the competitor you are referring but also the client you pitching too. I appreciate their are some industries this is not for but certainly for ours its possible. I am also aware of this type of referral has been reciprocated towards Octus from our competition too.
Therefore, just be careful that when you make an assumption without having FACT about a person, a business or a product to try to improve your own credibility or to gain a competitive advantage that you are fully prepared tobe the Assumption Fool if proved wrong.
