I have this theory, which I haven't heard proposed anywhere else, that you build your business on the folks who like you, who want you, who want your product and are willing to pay the price you put on it.
You don't build your business on those who just want more and more, and pay less and less, and who will go elsewhere if you don't satisfy them.
Build your business on the first group, even if it's smaller, and you've built something solid.
Build your business on the second group, and you'll be in constant misery.
Sell to the people who want to buy from you, and don't sell to the people who don't.
Let them go. Some will come back. Most won't.
So -- on to the bigger picture, say you're a town like Bend, and you're hoping to entice business to come to Bend.
Who do you want?
The people who WANT to come here?
Or the people who you have to bribe with fire sales and tax concessions and no-interest loans?
I'm telling you, it may be a slower process (sometimes slower is good) but the first type of business is the one you want, not the second type of business.
You don't build your business on those who just want more and more, and pay less and less, and who will go elsewhere if you don't satisfy them.
Build your business on the first group, even if it's smaller, and you've built something solid.
Build your business on the second group, and you'll be in constant misery.
Sell to the people who want to buy from you, and don't sell to the people who don't.
Let them go. Some will come back. Most won't.
So -- on to the bigger picture, say you're a town like Bend, and you're hoping to entice business to come to Bend.
Who do you want?
The people who WANT to come here?
Or the people who you have to bribe with fire sales and tax concessions and no-interest loans?
I'm telling you, it may be a slower process (sometimes slower is good) but the first type of business is the one you want, not the second type of business.