Your ego is killing your business. I know, you are going to say "no it's not". That's the point your in denial, I know because I used to be in the same boat. How many times have you found your self going to the store to buy a pair of shoes and ended up with a hat, shirt, box of chocolates and shoes? From the “Pro-sumers” point of view this is a rush of fulfillment. This is "Why I am here". According to the nephew of Dr. Sigmund Freud, Edward Bernays, you need to “Fear The Herds”. The Pro-sumer is nothing more than an unruliness mob he wrote. But for the business owner or corporation it exemplifies our case and point. Is it not the same for the ruler, the “Business Owner”? What you buy is based off of what you desire not what you need.
What happens when you turn to buy as a business owner? What happens when you purchase advertising? What happens when you the business owners are making the decision to purchase a new operating system or delivery van. What does your ego say about the image of your business.
    Your business is a consumer of magnificent proportion. Think about it's actions on a day to day basis. You brag to everyone how great you are. You buy items like the earth is about to explode and there is no tomorrow. You spend money on shopping lists that are more modeled after the second coming! Instead of calling it a shopping list though, you call it a purchase order. Instead of showing how thrifty your business is, you bolster the image through neat software and new phones, computers, paper, printers, faxes, huge gulping vehicles, forklifts, machines of all colors and what is so sad is the emptiness left inside when it is all over. When you are cashed strapped and in debt. You have to look at your business as a child with an unruliness of self. Your business wants to purchase desires but you need to buy necessity.
    So how can you change this? Well... the way I see it you have 2 choices. You can change and win or you can let your ego continue to control and fail. Start at the very basic value or job in your business and work up. Nothing is safe from scrutiny! No not even you! Take each item and every function that you perform and ask your self 3 questions.

  1. Do I need this?
  2. Does this item bring "Image or Ego" to my company?
  3. Can I do this function with less?

    Now take your items and bring "Creativity" to it. For example, think about how your decisions are effected with your desires. Think about how you can recreate a cheaper idea into a more creative one. Your business is being constantly marketed to through avenues of desire not necessity. Yes, you want to duplicate this affect for your “Pro-sumer” but you do not want to be the consumer at your business. Do this exercise and you will free up thousand of potential dollars in your business.

    In conclusion you have become what “They” want you to become because of sheer fear. The small business is just like the unruliness of a mob when you account for how many small businesses there are in the world. So in part you are susceptible to the same tactics used for the masses. Do not follow lead! That includes your IMAGE!