COMPETITION

Below is a true story of just how to combat competition from moving in on your business. Of course the secret to a successful business is the word "empathy. "Just make sure you treat your employees and customers the way you would expect to be treated when the shoe is on the other foot.

The owner of a hair salon in a small town enjoyed the serenity of knowing that he was the only salon in town. He was responsible for cutting and styling the hair of just about every resident.

His income allowed him to live comfortably and even send all of his six children to college.

Unfortunately for him, big business came to his town. Right across the street from his busy little hair salon sprang one of those new full service salon franchises.

Immediately the media campaign began; ads in newspapers, magazines and bill boards announced, “EVERYTHING FOR $6.00!. $6.00 haircuts, $6.00 perms, $6.00 manicures, everything $6.00.”

Soon all of his customers, his neighbors began visiting the salon across the street and the man’s business sat empty.

Desperate he hired an expensive consultant.

“I’m finished,” he cried. “It’s impossible for me, little me, to compete with them.”

The consultant squinted his eves at the salon across the street. “Not just yet, not just yet.”

With that the consultant picked up the phone and dialed the town’s only billboard company.

“Yes, on top of our salon in Big letters put this message. WE FIX $6.00 HAIRCUTS.”