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#Post#: 38416--------------------------------------------------
Re: How do I stay friendly in competition?
By: Rose Red Date: September 9, 2019, 12:40 pm
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I don't think this situation compares to the example of the
breweries. It sounds like the breweries are supporting each
other, but one is not doing half the work for the other. I'm
sure trade secrets and recipes are not shared. Having a combined
event still means they're still selling and advertising their
wares separately. Like how food festivals are in the same place
with the same goals, but have their own booths.
In the OP's case, the fundraiser want #2's products; not the
DD's. What will happen for the next big job? Will #2 keep asking
DD to bail her out? When you're in a business, you need to know
what your limits are. Don't agree to do a fundraiser when you
can't supply the demand. Keep doing small jobs that you can
handle. If you want to grow, hire an employee or take on a
partner.
#Post#: 38591--------------------------------------------------
Re: How do I stay friendly in competition?
By: chigger Date: September 12, 2019, 3:57 pm
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[quote author=Surly link=topic=1312.msg38198#msg38198
date=1567740206]
[quote author=homie link=topic=1312.msg38088#msg38088
date=1567613316]
One of the marks daughter has made is offering her product for
fundraisers and there here have been several area groups who
have been successful with them. As I said, she has made a name
for herself in our corner of the world and word is spreading
around school groups. Yesterday #2 called daughter with an
offer. She has been approached by a group to do a fundraiser
but she knows it is bigger than what she can handle at her size
and she wants to split it with daughter - each of them producing
half of the product needed. Daughter is EXTREMELY uncomfortable
with that for many reasons. She tried to be nice in her
refusal, but knows #2 thought she was being a little short with
her.
Daughter gave her reasons for not wanting to join in, but
finally just told her she has too many orders out right now to
be able to devote the time needed. #2 accepted that, but we are
sure she is hurt.
Daughter feels as though #2 is coming from the angle of "all in
this life together", "women empowering women" and everything
else that goes with that, but that's not where we are.
[/quote]
Interesting. I had the opposite reaction from you and your
daughter. I think that multiple people working the same type of
business encouraging each other and working together can be
really incredible.
For example, in my town, there are multiple breweries that
advertise each others' anniversaries and special events, and
host local beer days together a few times a year. As a
customer, I *love* that they support each other and see the
growth of local beer brewing as a positive thing that helps
everyone.
I think it's very cool that when daughter's friend was
approached by the fundraising group, friend asked your daughter
to partner with her.
I wonder if it might help to reframe your thinking. Yes, you
and your daughter have no interest in sharing or helping anyone
else. But it's very possible that the "competitors" are not
being devious or rude in any way. They might have a passion for
the product and want to work together to grow it in your town.
So, declining politely without hard feelings is probably the
best way to go.
I will say that as a customer I notice when businesses support
each other and it makes me more likely to buy from any of them.
I am 100% in favour of "all in this life together" and "women
empowering women". If I knew of you and your daughter's
attitude, I would likely stop buying from her and move to one of
the other more community-oriented businesses.
[/quote]
I don't understand why you would do so. One woman is treating
it as a business, and she worked hard to excel. The other is
treating it as a hobby/part time gig and she accepted a
commission that she can't fulfill. #2 should have been upfront
and said she could not provide that much product.
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