[at-l] A Good Business Model?

[bullard@northnet.org (James Bullard)]

Opening disclaimer:  I do *not* feel that OB's comments suggesting that a 
certain campground could use the services of a business consultant were 
arrogant and I believe his intent was purely charitable with the intent of 
insuring the continuance of said business so that it would continue to be 
available to hikers in the future.  His experiences were not first 
"downside" report I have heard/read on that establishment.

That being said I found the discussion interesting because it confirmed 
once again an observation I have made repeatedly in my 26+ years working 
with employers in the Dept of Labor.  And the observation is... "I am 
utterly amazed at the number of long term successful businesses that are 
out there despite being run in the most atrocious manner imaginable".  I am 
amazed because from all reports running one's own business is an extremely 
risky endeavor with very high failure rates.  The SBA has some very 
discouraging data for those embarking on their own business.  If SBA data 
is to be believed the 1st year failure rate is considerably higher than the 
success rate (by several times).  In spite of this, over the past 26+ years 
I have seen businesses that treat their customers like dirt, treat their 
employees worse, sell crap, make promises they don't keep, give lousy 
service, overcharge, etc., etc. and they are still successful year after 
year after year.  It boggles my mind.

Sure, there are sometimes explanations.  Perhaps this is the only business 
around doing or selling what you need so you have to put up with their 
eccentricity (polite terminology). After all you can't get your car fixed 
on the Internet.  You have to have a mechanic even if he does make you wait 
a week, chews tobacco and drools tobacco spit on your upholstery.  But I'm 
still puzzled.  The Brits are supposedly the connoisseurs of eccentricity 
but I've encountered Americans who will *deliberately* go to businesses 
where they know they will be abused by the owner.  They're actually amused 
by it.  I've seen people who having been warned that a certain business 
charges for work not done, pads bills for work that was done or various 
other things which are even mildly illegal and they'll *still go there* 
because they like the business's TV ads or they met the owner once socially 
and he "seemed like a nice guy". (mentally insert spinning head image 
here)  Hell, rotten politicians get re-elected like that all the time.  And 
there are enough of these folks to keep all these badly run businesses 
going.  Perhaps in a society where we hear "Have a nice day" (mentally 
insert image of me gagging) from every chain enterprise that follows a 
proper business model we need the relief of knowing that someone can still 
succeed without a painted smile and an ISO 9001 method for dealing with 
customers.  Maybe the experts on how to run a business aren't all that expert.

Saunterer