Post: #1

Have any of you ever met this type of business man? One that has different businesses running but wont give out ideas of how he runs his business.

I understand that there are certain businesses where people just dont want to share ideas because you will be another competitive threat in his business environment. However, there are these type of businesses where is real simple to get into it but certain business men still wont let you know how it works.

Ever encountered this type of business man? Are you this type? What is the real reason behind this behaviour? Is this a good behaviour overall?

Post: #2

There is a difference between real businessmen and the typical huckster with a million good ideas, and that sort of question makes me wonder if you are not surrounded by a lot of hucksters.

It has nothing to do with a fear of competition. Even if you knew exactly how they do things, you would still not be able to pull it off in any way that would be a real threat to them. You would also not learn anything of value through a simple discussion. Business is based on relationships, established structures and operational experience. Their IP might be in the model and their approach, but you have got shit without the first 3.

If someone is telling you that they wont tell you how they do everything because they are worried you would steal their idea? They are probably talking crap about how successful their little enterprise really is. They are talking up something that has no real value and often its nothing more than an idea to them still. Either that, or its some piss willy second job they have on the side that cant be called a business.

If someone can explain the multimillion dollar business idea to you on a napkin and then see you rip it off just because you understood it, chances are there is no multimillion dollar business idea in the first place. Business is not done in secret, its done in the open. You are open with everyone because you never know who could be your next supplier, customer or person in your own network. If people are closed but throw out teasers? They are probably fucking idiots in the first place and not worth your time. I would bet 99 times out of a 100 the sort who does that has not got a genuine thing going, and if he does, its almost always small time.

The real reason you dont bother with the detail is because people wont always understand what you are doing, even if you go into excruciating detail sometimes. You learn to qualify people quickly and you become picky with who you talk about these things too. And even if they did understand it, then you have to potentially deal with the fucking guy phoning you up every other day asking you for more shit all the time. Or coming to you constantly with "money making opportunities" or all sorts of hair brained schemes. There is nothing worse than the hangers on who see you as their meal ticket and are always looking for favours. It becomes a real pain in the ass after a while.

There is a difference though if you are looking for a mentor, and Ill stress that there is a difference. I have had a few over the years and I still have people in my life who I pick up the phone to or catch up with. Im not asking them to explain how they do things, I ask them for advice and tell them what problems I may be having. They provide perspective, they dont give me a blueprint. Thats all. But it takes time to build that sort of relationship with people and its not going to happen quickly.

Post: #3

This depends completely on the person in question and the context of the "hiding."

There are lots of reasons why a businessman would not discuss his business with you. Namely, it's none of your business. It has nothing to do with competition and everything to do with a man valuing his privacy.

There are also plenty of reasons why a huckster might try to hide stuff.

Post: #4

Ideas can take many forms.

If it's a brand new innovative idea that no one has even considered before, it might not hurt to share it with someone who couldn't get it done right (For example, creating the internet).

If it is an idea that improves an existing product that could give you a competitive advantage over the industry, you might do well to guard those types of ideas... For example, a new model or feature in the automobile industry that could easily be replicated or reverse engineered.

Post: #5

"However, there are these type of businesses where is real simple to get into it but certain business men still wont let you know how it works."

If it's simple why do you need them to explain it?

Why would any businessman go out of his way to help someone else cut in on his business?Unless he's looking for an apprentice.

It's part of what Warren Buffett calls a business' "moat" i.e things which keep the competition at bay.

The only people who actively go out to tell people"how to get rich in this business" are seminar scammers , who make their money "teaching" people about share dealing ,property etc
When in truth they never got rich through those activities at all but by selling tickets to mugs attending their "get rich" seminars.

Unless you're lucky enough to meet a mentor by and large you've got to work things out for yourself as you go.

But here's a guy that doesn't mind giving advice:

Post: #6

(10-14-2011 04:41 AM)Hooligan Harry Wrote:  There is a difference between real businessmen and the typical huckster with a million good ideas, and that sort of question makes me wonder if you are not surrounded by a lot of hucksters.

It has nothing to do with a fear of competition. Even if you knew exactly how they do things, you would still not be able to pull it off in any way that would be a real threat to them. You would also not learn anything of value through a simple discussion. Business is based on relationships, established structures and operational experience. Their IP might be in the model and their approach, but you have got shit without the first 3.

If someone is telling you that they wont tell you how they do everything because they are worried you would steal their idea? They are probably talking crap about how successful their little enterprise really is. They are talking up something that has no real value and often its nothing more than an idea to them still. Either that, or its some piss willy second job they have on the side that cant be called a business.

If someone can explain the multimillion dollar business idea to you on a napkin and then see you rip it off just because you understood it, chances are there is no multimillion dollar business idea in the first place. Business is not done in secret, its done in the open. You are open with everyone because you never know who could be your next supplier, customer or person in your own network. If people are closed but throw out teasers? They are probably fucking idiots in the first place and not worth your time. I would bet 99 times out of a 100 the sort who does that has not got a genuine thing going, and if he does, its almost always small time.

The real reason you dont bother with the detail is because people wont always understand what you are doing, even if you go into excruciating detail sometimes. You learn to qualify people quickly and you become picky with who you talk about these things too. And even if they did understand it, then you have to potentially deal with the fucking guy phoning you up every other day asking you for more shit all the time. Or coming to you constantly with "money making opportunities" or all sorts of hair brained schemes. There is nothing worse than the hangers on who see you as their meal ticket and are always looking for favours. It becomes a real pain in the ass after a while.

There is a difference though if you are looking for a mentor, and Ill stress that there is a difference. I have had a few over the years and I still have people in my life who I pick up the phone to or catch up with. Im not asking them to explain how they do things, I ask them for advice and tell them what problems I may be having. They provide perspective, they dont give me a blueprint. Thats all. But it takes time to build that sort of relationship with people and its not going to happen quickly.

I'll take a slightly different view than Harry on this one and say that there are a lot of successful business owners who do not share information for two reasons:
1) They worked hard starting from scratch and they are now incredibly protective of their territory. Restaurant owners are like this. Good luck getting the gouge from a successful restaurant owner. Last thing he wants is someone opening up a store across town using his ideas.

2) You are not a close relative or partner. Why would they share information if you are not close with them?