A Wild High School Drama

In business, there are no permanent enemies or friends

Welcome to the wild world of business, where everyone's a potential friend or foe, and you never know who's going to stab you in the back. Just kidding...kind of.

In business, there are no permanent enemies or friends. It's a bit like a high school drama, but with more money involved. Your competitor might be your best bud today, but tomorrow they might steal your clients and leave you in the dust. So, keep your friends close, your enemies closer, and your receipts closest of all.

Now, when it comes to relationship management, it's essential to stay on everyone's good side. And what about the competitors? You might be thinking, "I'd rather die than be friendly with those jerks." But hear me out - attending industry events and conferences is a great way to scope out the competition and maybe even learn a thing or two from them. Plus, who doesn't love a good old-fashioned game of "who can give the best fake smile?"

But what happens when things go wrong? When you royally mess up and have to face the music? Don't panic - just take responsibility and own up to your mistakes. It's like ripping off a band-aid - painful, but necessary. And don't burn any bridges, even if you feel like tearing the whole dang thing down. Your reputation is everything in business, so keep your cool and stay in everyone's good books, whatever it takes.

I’ve started 3 business with 4 of of my closest friends and all 3 ended up in the dump. That is when I relised “If your co-founder is one of your closest friend, then you are gifted. But if he is your co-founder just because he’s your friend, then you have a problem.” Even though I am not in speaking terms with 2 of them, I’d love to make up with them.

To lapse, there are no permanent enemies or friends in business, just a bunch of people trying to make a buck. All I’m asking you to do is to keep an open mind, maintain friendly relationships, and don't let anyone mess with your receipts. Network, take responsibility, and remember - even at your worst, keep your integrity intact. Now, who's up for a round of fake smiles?

Yours,
Shashank SN