When I was fishing commercially, there were a group of fishermen that we used to call “Radio Fishermen”.
Instead of figuring out where they should set their net, they were too worried about where everyone else was, so they were constantly on the radio….
“Where are you at? How’s the fishing there?”
Radio Fishermen were rarely successful. Instead of focusing and making an informed decision about where and how to fish, they spent all their energy (and fuel!) roaring around the ocean, trying to find out what everyone else was doing.
If they did catch any fish, it was usually by accident.
When I left fishing to set up my own business, I found that the business version of “Radio Fishermen” also existed. And they were (are) rarely successful either.
Here’s why:
• Radio Fishermen Don’t Do their Research.
There’s really only two things you need to get right to be a successful fisherman; you need to find the fish and then catch them. Simple! The first part is usually a lot harder than the second.
When I started out fishing, I had no idea how to do either. So I had to learn.
I studies the tides, the behaviour of the species of fish, and I experimented in different places at different times, until I was fairly confident that every time I left the dock I would be on the fish.
It was same way when I invented my first product. I had no clue about prototyping, manufacturing, marketing or ANY of the business stuff that went with it. So I researched!
• I found the most successful businessman in the industry I wanted to be in – and I watched what he did.
• I attended tradeshows and wandered about and talked to the vendors – I got a list of contacts for people who could help me.
• I sat in on courses and lectures to learn more about the science and manufacturing behind the product I wanted to make.
• I learned about marketing.
• I researched the industry I wanted to be in – I found out who the big players were, and how they operated.
Once I had done all the groundwork, I could make informed decisions.
• Radio Fishermen Are Afraid of Failure.
There are no guarantees in fishing or in business. You have to take a risk. And sometimes you fail. Many times I was skunked (didn’t catch any fish). But I learned something from each experience.
Same thing in business. I made many mistakes. I made products that didn’t work or didn’t sell. But every failure was a lesson, and eventually the successes outweighed the failures.
Because I did my ground work first, many times I was taking a calculated risk.
If I had spent all my time trying to copy other people, I wouldn’t have learned anything. And I still would have failed.
You have to have the courage to do something. You can’t be paralysed by fear of failure.
• Radio Fishermen often get Incorrect Information.
Successful fishermen are usually generous with their advice if they think you want to learn. If all you do is call them to ask where they are and just show up to set your net beside theirs……soon you find that the information you get is….well…misleading.
Successful businessmen put in their time. They are happy to guide you, share advice and mentor you. But if all you do is copy them, you will find that the advice dries up pretty quickly.
Not only that, the copy is never as good as the original.
• Radio Fishermen have a poor reputation.
In fishing, as in business, your reputation is everything.
I’ve tried to be authentic in everything I’ve done. I’ve done the very best I could do in every endeavour. If it failed, it wasn’t because I didn’t give it all I had.
I am also accountable for my mistakes. There’s no one to blame but me if something goes wrong.
That means I can also be proud of my successes.
So don’t be a Radio Business Person. Pursue your own ideas, don’t worry about what other people are doing. Reduce your risk by doing lots of research. And if you fail, learn from your mistakes and start over.
Cheers,
Bob.
