In his Digital Rules column in the February 13 issue of Forbes magazine, Rich Karlgaard makes a couple of points that I think are key to creating lasting success for your business.
First:
Success is not a zero-sum game, though most academic economists, pundits and politicians act as if it were–maybe because they vie for glory in zero-sum professions. (There can be only 1 U.S. President and 100 senators, for example.)
Too often, I hear people who are focused on their success at someone else’s expense. While true competition does often involve consumers switching from one company to its competitor, and competition is the foundation of a healthy economy, you’re ultimately facing a much less successful future if you can’t see beyond that.
Focus on providing valuable content that’s unique from what any else is producing. Find your niche. Create new interest. Add something brand new to what’s already there. There are always bigger fish in the lake, so survival can be a very a stressful game. Don’t be afraid to explore uncharted waters.
Second:
The Golden Rule is more than a spiritual truth, it is a business truth. You get ahead in business by serving others. Sure, you can try to cheat or cut corners–and you may succeed. But the odds overwhelmingly favor the company that serves its customers with great products and services at a fair price. This is even truer today, in the age of Internet price transparency and activist consumers.
This is so true, especially on the Internet. If you’re very good, word will always spread. Work on doing good for others, and it will always come back around.
What does that mean for a website in particular? Be free with your links. Don’t hesitate to quote people and link to their sites. Let someone know if you had a good experience. Be transparent. Admit when you make mistakes.
There are thousands of ways to do good, and doing good is the best way to do well.
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