Bashing your competitor

Bashing your competitor will always backfire. Criticizing others won’t bring you any advantage.

A higher form is arrogance. People will punish you with laser speed on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or any other social media app.

By criticizing and bashing your competitor, we achieve the exact opposite of what we wanted.

What happened?

Hollywood icon Steven Spielberg bashed the Oscar winner Green Book. “A TV movie doesn’t deserve an Oscar.

Background information: Green Book was produced by Netflix Film and is not a Hollywood production.

Here is the genius reaction by Netflix on Twitter:

We love cinema. Here are some things we also love:
– Access for people who can’t always afford, or live in towns without theaters
– Letting everyone, everywhere enjoy releases at the same time
– Giving filmmakers more ways to share art.
These things are not mutually exclusive.

What can you take away for Netflix’s reaction?

With no word did they criticize Steven Spielberg or Hollywood. Instead, they demonstrate the reason why they exist and state their business philosophy.

The weaker person will always fight back

It’s no secret that the film industry needs a disruption. The business model of theaters is that you buy popcorn, Hot Dogs and soft drinks that are more important than the ticket. On top of it, you must be lucky to get a ticket first.

Steven Spielberg won’t win this. He cannot stop the revolution of streaming services.

Many companies face the same problem. They smash on the competitor and don’t realize the damage they leave for themselves. Sales reps and employees mostly word this criticism.

How can you do better – without bashing the competitor?

1. Stop criticizing and discussing things you cannot change.

2. Surprise your customers with service and better products. Show the values of your product, service or company. Show them how much better their lives will be by using your company or service.

3. Always have a strong WHY. A strong WHY is the biggest motivator for others and yourself. It is the philosophy of your company that reflects everything you do.

The problem: most people don’t know their own WHY nor that of their company.