Feedback. Sometimes we love it. Other times… it’s our worst nightmare.
We all know feedback is an invaluable part of our entrepreneurial voyage, providing essential insights into the minds of our customers, shining a light
on areas ripe for improvement, and often acting as a powerful catalyst for our growth.
But here’s the key, feedback, by its very nature, is subjective. What rubs one person the wrong way might be exactly what another person adores. Therefore, it’s vital to remember that we shouldn’t be charting our business course based on a single opinion but rather steering it by a broader consensus.
Avoid the “Must Please Everyone” Syndrome
As business owners, it’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting to please everyone. We’ve all been there. We’ve invested our passion, time, and resources into our ventures, and sometimes even the smallest critique can be tough to swallow. But here’s a nugget of wisdom – not every piece of feedback requires us to overhaul our operations.
Check out this scenerio: you’ve just unveiled a new product and the reviews are streaming in. Among the overwhelmingly positive responses, there’s one review that’s not so glowing. The immediate reaction might be to drop everything and address the issues raised in that one negative feedback. But before you do, take a breath, and ask yourself: “Is this a solitary voice or an echoed sentiment?”
If the same feedback is reflected in multiple responses, it’s definitely worth your attention. It suggests a pattern, a shared experience among your customers that might be an obstacle to their satisfaction. This collective feedback can become your roadmap to meaningful changes and improvements.
However, if the feedback is an outlier, a single voice in a chorus of praise, then it’s just that – an outlier. It’s one person’s perspective, and while it deserves to be acknowledged, it doesn’t necessitate a total revamp of your current strategy. Remember, you simply cannot please everyone, and that’s perfectly okay.
Because feedback is as diverse as our customer base. It’s influenced by personal preferences, individual experiences, and unique expectations. What one person sees as a flaw, another might view as a unique selling point. What one person considers a shortcoming, another might see as your strength.
Keyboard Warriors
Ah, the keyboard warrior – a creature of the digital age who seemingly thrives on delivering a storm of opinions from the safety of their own home, often armed with little more than a keyboard and a false sense of bravado. They often occupy the comments section of social media, blogs, and forums, fueled by a potent combination of anonymity and a platform that allows them to voice their views with minimal real-world repercussions.
A keyboard warrior can be particularly prolific when it comes to providing feedback. They are unafraid to voice their criticisms, often with a level of audacity that seems to be amplified by the digital distance between them and their target. While sometimes their comments may provide a valid perspective, more often they seem to be rooted in a need to assert their opinion, regardless of its merit or the potential impact on the recipient. Their courage, it appears, is often inversely proportional to their accountability, leading to a barrage of negative feedback that can be disheartening, to say the least.
It’s important to remember, however, that the keyboard warrior’s realm is not reality. Their negative feedback is often a reflection of their own boredom, dissatisfaction, or need for attention, rather than a genuine critique of your work or product. So, as you navigate the digital landscape, acknowledge their presence, but don’t let the keyboard warriors dictate your journey.
Avoid Conforming If It Makes No Sense
In our entrepreneurial journey, our mission shouldn’t be to conform to every individual opinion but to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of our larger customer base. Our business decisions should be guided by a broader consensus, not swayed by a lone voice. This approach helps us stay true to our vision while responding positively to our customers’ evolving needs.
A great example is when I made a conscious choice to focus my efforts on working in the vegan space. I remember one person in particular who warned me I would destroy my business should I niche so narrowly. After considering the source, I chose to ignore the cautionary warning. I knew, in my gut, making the change was right for me at this point in my business. It proved not only appropriate, it proved downright smart.
So, the next time a piece of feedback has you second-guessing your path, take a moment to assess. Is it a shared sentiment, or is it a single perspective? Use this understanding to inform your decisions and steer your business in the right direction.
Because the essence of entrepreneurship isn’t just about navigating the winds of opinion but about staying true to your course. Each piece of feedback is a gift, a glimpse into your customer’s mind. Appreciate it, learn from it, but don’t let it dictate your journey. Your business is a manifestation of your vision, fueled by the needs and wants of your customers. Striking the balance between the two is your ticket to navigating the entrepreneurial seas with grace and success.
Want to learn more about the do’s and don’ts of business? Join myself and my business associate for our next Virtual Dinner Party. A great opportunity to network with other entrepreneurs to share best practices and get input on current challenges. Go to VeganVisibilityProductions.com