Five Fatal Communication FlawsSample

Five Fatal Communication Flaws-Part V

Recently, I received a postcard promoting an online service. On their website I found their primary marketing strategy was to degrade their leading competitor!

Instead of promoting what made their business unique, they chose to denigrate their competitor’s services. As a prospect, I didn’t care about their competitor’s flaws, but instead, I wanted to know what benefits I would receive if I hired them.

Instead of endearing me to this company, I found that their marketing approach tarnished their brand in my eyes. I discarded their postcard.

James 4:11 warns, “Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law.”

If the only marketing strategy you have is to disrespect your competitors, you may lose customers.

Questions for Reflection:

• Can you think of an arena where denigrating the competition is common? Do you believe this approach accomplishes what it sets out to do? Why or why not?
• Do you think denigrating the competition can take place within the same company or business? How so?
• What should your response be if your character, skill, or company is denigrated by another? Can you recall a scripture to help you back that up?

Father God, You are the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, and You guide and direct us in our everyday speech and communication, if we allow You to. We confess we don't always yield to Your Spirit. Thank you that we can do better, and that we can improve our communication skills with awareness and practice. Help us, Lord, reflect Your glory by speaking the truth in love and, as James admonishes, to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. In Your Son's name we pray. Amen.

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