The 2018 World Business Forum is the last business-related conference that I ever attended. It was not because others banned me from coming, no. In reality, I received a few more invitations after that, which I declined politely.
The reason was that the process became a little too old for me. I used to go to such events to shake hands with CEOs and sometimes join the panel. I would bump shoulders with wide-eyed entrepreneurs or competitors, acting all excited to see each other. Despite that, we all knew that we were merely sizing one another up.
I guess I had gotten more cynical as I aged, but you ought to realize the ironies of life in the business world.
Someone’s Downfall Can Be Your Success
When a company files for bankruptcy, it means that you have fewer rivals than before. You may express sympathy when you cross paths with the failed businessman, but you won’t go as far as consoling them. Instead, a lot of business folks even hold a party for someone’s loss because it can open the gates to their success.
Bad Publicity Is Still A Publicity
People in business are no different from celebrities, in the sense that they welcome any publicity. Were you caught committing infidelity, for instance? That’s awful for your marriage, and your company may get dragged in the mud, but it still gets your brand in media outlets.
You’ve Made It When Others Spread Rumors About Your Business
Some competitors can go as far as spreading rumors about your company. Whether they are true or not, the fact that they spend so much time plotting against you is incredible. It typically indicates that your presence in the business world threatens them too much to hit you below the belt.
Final Thoughts
You have every right to disagree with the thoughts above that I fondly call as the ironies of life. However, I doubt that you will. Deep down, you know that there’s truth in every word, and we all have to live with it.
Still, no matter how much you struggle, try not to be the kind of business who does all those shady things. You can always be better than that.