Loser’s attitude a bad thing in business competition

Companies engaged in business competition must understand that occasional failure here and there has to be accommodated because in each failure firms learn lessons and improve their ability to compete well.  But a major failure can devastate entire staff and result in the company showing “loser’s attitude”.

Generally speaking, loser’s attitude evolves in a certain rhythm. It begins with the oft-practised blaming the opponent and ultimately ends in pleasing the enemy so that grace may be obtained. Here is the rhythm in detail:

1. Blame the winner: Without doubt this is easier said and done in business competition. Admittedly, a loser has every right to blame himself for the failure but except in few cases the stock response is to blame the winner citing, principally the mode of his operations being in the grey zone or composed of unethical practices. Today US firms are just doing this against their Chinese counterparts.

2. Find fault with the market: Importantly, the pricing structure of the winner is often cited as the main cause of the defeat suffered as customers who have limited budget are easily attracted to low price items in the market. As fixing price cannot be easily regulated in a free market, firms that bring out cheaper alternatives have a sway over customer preferences. Once again Chinese excel in this regard too.

3. Government is the fall guy: Most firms who are underperforming in business competition vent their steam on the government or an arm of the government for their failure. Striking a strident note, these firms censure authorities for the mess they are in. A good example is Lockheed Martin and her billion dollar misadventure of F-25fighter jet programme. 

4. Info warfare: A notable example of loser’s attitude is manifested when failing companies engage in info warfare against a specific competitor with superior product that carries features that are previously unknown and being sold at an affordable price. Why American tech forms are pouring venom on Huawei is not only because the mobile has 5-G and cheap but it prevents what is technically known as “back dooring”, where intelligence agencies could tap these for info collection and analysis. 

5. Massage ego of the winner: Originally invented by Indian strategist Chanakya this runs as follows: “If you cannot beat your enemy in the battlefield, then begin showering him with praise and compliments in the hope that he takes pity on you and accommodate you”. 

 

Cheers! 

 

Muthu Ashraff Rajulu

Business Strategist

Mobile: + 94 777 265677

E-mail:   cosmicgems@gmail.com

Blog:   Business Strategist