There has been a lot of noise about the lack of substance or perceived value from detailing organizations and other groups by business owners whose complaints lack in substance. I know this is going to upset some people, but I am going to be blunt. The context in which individuals levy their complaints tells me so much about their shortcomings as business owners.
Most people who are upset that these organizations do not contribute more, while not contributing more to a solution, reveal that they do not contribute more to their own business. Let us compare this to something that is proverbially close to home. A customer complaining that a ceramic coating literally does not wash itself. Familiar?! When you complain about another company essentially not running your business for you, I find the irony incredible. Why don’t the ingredients cook themselves!
Two of the biggest contradictions that I see in this industry are both based on the willful lack of effort to invest money and time to better their business. One of the hypocritical frustrations business owners have been well documented. People complain about cheap customers, while being cheap not only with supply choices but also in the presentation of their business. With respect to not investing in oneself, I can argue that this is an even greater issue. It is incredible that instead of being in a place of gratitude for the resources available THAT YOU CAN EXPAND OR LEARN MORE ON YOUR OWN, there are people bitter about another business not doing enough for them. As business owners you have the choice to graciously not invest in certain groups that do not serve you. But doing neither, while complaining, says more about you. I see the behavior of business owners on public forums that I would not accept from my clients.
It is not that many of the complaints lack validity in regards to critiquing the International Detailing Association or the many ceramic coating companies we partner with. I could add to the list of areas of improvement that could better all parties. My issue lies in the complainers’ underlying suggestion that these organizations need to make you more visible. That is a sign of a lazy business owner. These organizations should be a supplement to what you are already doing. You are supposed to be marketing your own brand.
So often the answer to the question of what led to you starting a business involves control and being one’s own boss. But when it comes to being a leader, making decisions for oneself, creatively building off the basics given to you, there is an underlying demand to insist on another company marketing your own business. You attract what you are! You want to be taken seriously as a business owner, act like one!