Mar 30

Why we NEED haters in business

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In starting and ultimately running your own business, every single one of you will have to deal with haters.

Those are the people that that don’t want you to succeed, and they are always trying to pull you down to their level with negativity. For whatever reason they have to hate (jealousy, mostly), these people also tend to be the loudest. They will criticize you with every possible opportunity, and try to turn others against you.

But should you just ignore these people? Absolutely not. Sometimes, if you are able to sift through all the negativity, they can offer valuable insight into your product that you may have never thought of before. Maybe they have a valid reason for their animosity, and there might be something you can do to change their minds, which could also lead you to a better product. Just whatever you do, don’t fall into their trap by throwing insults back and forth, because it can make you look petty and weak, and they win.

Remember, it is up to you to offer the best product you can, and that means looking at the negative feedback just as much as you would the positive.

  • http://ejatpsyche.wordpress.com Elyn Tibbs

    Great insight! I volunteered at a non-profit and there was all kinds of trouble. The end result of our efforts was well-worth the tension for one school year though. The group that remained understood where they didn’t want to go with the organization and kept aspects of our activities that would help.

  • http://plusologie.com/ Karol

    Although it’s unrealistic to try to please everyone all of the time. I agree that it is important to listen to those you don’t please. It’s an opportunity to keep striving for perfection. And That’s what will help your company continue to grow and make your product the best it can possibly be.

  • Rebecca Rosario

    Daymond,

    Thank you. There has always been people that want to bring you down with there negativity and sometimes you think that maybe they aren’t as open minded, but you are right if you take a moment to listen you can probably get insight that you wouldn’t of had before. I agree.

  • http://www.shawnhorwoodfitness.com/blog/ Shawn Horwood

    I definitely agree with you.

    In my previous business I hate lots of haters. I even had one person call me “the biggest scam of 2009″ but I got a few nuggets from all his yelling and improved the way I do business.

    When I help others with their businesses I tell them if they don’t have haters they’re doing something wrong.

    People should either love you or hate you. And once you get to that point, if people mock you or insult you in public, your fans will defend you and when people see that you have fans willing to defend you it just boosts your business.

    Bring on the haters!

  • http://twitter.com/2pacleo Leo

    I totally agree … even when “haters” may ruin your confidence in your product or make u feel like a loser, they can give more valuable information than people that actually love the product. Even when u cannot reach everyone’s tastes, reaching most of them can only be accomplished by listening to people that find something wrong with my product or simply hate it.

    Another lil’ good thing about haters is that other people listen to their opinion and ask themselves “wow, why this guy hates this so much” and try it by themselves and give their opinion to the hater which leads to more buyers. It’s not much the change they provoke but its better that nothing.

  • http://iwdcanada.com BrianKumarasamy

    There was a quote in one of the more recent Harvard Review magazines that said “When positive groupthink permeates, nay sayers are marginalized, and reality is overlooked.”

    (my wording might not be exact but you get the idea)

  • http://www.madglory.com Taurus King

    Bring it man! Bring it! I wont drink the haterade. But, I’ll watch them sip it.

  • http://www.pamperrypr.com pam perry

    LOVE THIS….AND LOVE YOUR BRAND! AND
    All I can say is, “go where you’re celebrated, not tolerated.” Folks eating Hater-Tots and drinking Hater-Aid will dry on the vine. If you don’t no haters…..you aint got no BUZZZZ. :)

    Pam Perry, Branding Super Star.

  • http://liveonpurposecoach.com Deneen

    My favorite book says,”as a man thinketh in HIS heart so is he.” It does not really matter what others think of you. The question is, what do you think of you? Therefore, let the haters continue to hate and the progressive individuals maximize their potential!
    Thanks for the insight!

  • http://www.DanielDarden.com Daniel Darden

    Daymond once again well said,

    As one of the few African American winemakers in the Wine Business, you can just assume I often get Haters from all corners of the GAME! I use much of my Cultural Street style to promote my Wine Brands, and Haters don’t often see many Winemakers hitting the streets as Hard and living the Hustle lifestyle everday as I do.

    The Haters come around often mad and upset, telling me “…take your time”, or “…play slowly”.
    I’ve got no time for that, if I strive to be the Black Robert Mondavi.

    To all my Wine Industry Haters “..if you can’t keep up with my Hustle, or don’t understand my Style. Please take a seat on the Bench, and watch me Play this Game”!

    Daymond, I hope you enjoyed the wine I sent.

    As always stay “Inspired”!!!
    Daniel Darden
    The WineMaker

  • http://myspace.com/paulsairbrushart Paul B

    That’s great insight.I always just looked at haters as a “they’re jealous” thing but never took the time to look into other motivations for the hate that could be used to make my product stronger!..will definitely take note!

  • http://www.moceancc.com Patrick Charles

    Haters should be used as the pawns that they are. Manipulate them to open the doors for your product or service flow through. Their negativity can be used as bait for that next client, buyer, or venture capitalist. Move forward fellow entrepreneurs. And remember, haters are just loyal consumers waiting to be turned to your side!

    Patrick Charles
    TV & Film Producer
    Creator of “The Cigar & Cognac Chronicles Show”

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  • http://www.dionnesimpson.com Dionne Simpson

    Okay, I don’t believe in the term haters. I feel that everyone is entitled to their opinions. I do agree with Daymond when he stated: “Sometimes, if you are able to sift through all the negativity, they can offer valuable insight into your product that you may have never thought of before.”
    Obviously we cannot follow everyone’s opinion but it is nice to know that they took the effort and time to voice one.

  • Nadia Suliman

    In my opinion negativity is a tactic use to gain or maintain control and in business and in life. A phrase I have often heard in my business dealings is “I am being brutally honest” – I find people of use that phrase are often more into the brutality than honesty. Unfortunately our ego can take over and we can miss a valuable message packaged in the negativity. Staying focused and not taking negative messages personally can help in recognizing those valuable points that may have been otherwise missed. Keep in mind that negativity in business and life is more about the person delivering the message than the person receiving the message.

  • Felicia (Lisa) Puckett

    Would you rather have a conformist or non-conformist on your team. I know my answer. Don’t flatter me….shoot from the hip…and I rise to a new level. “Haters” are just another name for the pressure which transforms a piece of coal into a diamond. Felicia (Lisa) Lujan-Puckett, Tucson, AZ

  • http://www.epageart.com iamdavinci

    The haters can also be an insight into the customers that you will eventually deal with for your company and may help you build a structured customer service game plan.

    Never insult – it is not productive.

    You can also learn from their negativity to increase the flow of good karma that you and/or your business thrives on. Daymond I could not have said it better – I have dealt with the jealous kind – the 20 year or more corporate seat warmers that will do nothing more but warm a chair for some other company. Not saying that is bad but that is their comfort zone. My comfort zone is starting businesses and hopefully watching them soar. Still trying. Cheers – a great thought provoking blog!

    Regards,
    iamdavinci