Definition:
1.to lead or guide wrongly; lead astray 2. to lead into error of conduct, thought, or judgment
Example:
Let’s use it in a sentence: Our government has done a fabulous job to misleadthe American people. Just an example. I’m sure you get the picture.
Small Business.
I want to talk about the words mislead and misled specifically in terms of small business. As a small business owner do you mislead your customers or the public in any way. This is something that should be taken inventory of. Do you deliver all that you promise and in the timeframe or manner in which you say? Do you stay with your customers long after they’ve paid or visited you? Can you look at the big picture and find ways to improve upon your product, service or performance that may be misleading in any form? Just something to think about.
Our Business.
I address these two words today because as a small business in the web design world, we constantly deal with potential costumers who have been completely mislead by other entities in regard to website design. It really keeps us in check and holds a very high bar when we hear the gripes and distain that some companies have towards our industry. We hold ourselves accountable to make sure we are not misleading anyone at all in what we can and cannot do for them. Transparencyis key for us. It would be nice if more people would perhaps do the same because then there may not be such a bad reputation in our industry or resistance in the approach of website design for small business. We liken a lot of what is happening in website design to what happened with the breakup of the telephone carriers when there was this insane frenzy of companies soliciting all these phone plans and long distance packages and you couldn’t make out what was what. It took quite awhile for things to calm down, weed themselves out and make sense. The same goes for cell phone industry and I think there’s still issues with that as well. But the web design world is just plain crazy right now.
Let’s Discuss.
So … for the sake of discussion, as a small business owner, do you keep yourself in check and make sure with your advertising, all your sales materials and even your employees that nothing you say or offer is misleading to your customers and the public? And as a small business owner or customer, do you feel that you have been mislead in any way in regard to being offered a service or product by another company or entity? If so, we’d love to learn of your example or thoughts on this as a whole.
Thanks so much for visiting The Wrap and we hope this blog and our vlogs are helpful in some way to you. See you next time for Word of the Week!
If you think education is expensive, try ignorance. ~Attributed to both Andy McIntyre and Derek Bok
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Great point, Elena. Honesty and transparency is so much easier and in the long run you can’t lose. I learned this a long time ago in the real estate business. When I would exaggerate it inevitably led to friction. Just learning to be clean and impeccable with our word is not only sound business practice it is sound life practice.
Hello Rob! ALWAYS a joy to see you here!!
“Just learning to be clean and impeccable with our word is not only sound business practice it is sound life practice.” Such wise, most applicable words here; couldn’t sum it up any better!
I shake my head sometimes at what is being said and thrown around like confetti out “there”. My mouth physically won’t let me speak less than factual words in my business because I know this could haunt me in spades. What would I ultimately gain? I sleep easy every night knowing I’m on the up and up. However, I will say it’s a lot harder work though simply because if you’re less than honest or you mislead all you’re doing is telling the other entity what they “want” to hear. Not giving them the facts or being completely truthful would perhaps require more time and detail to explain perhaps (and heaven forbid we take our time and be respectful of another’s intelligence in the process.)
I am really thinking about starting a group where small business refer other small businesses and give reviews, rather than just customers giving reviews to businesses. Business-to-business is huge and there is as much deceit, if not more, than what a business may do to their customers. It’s all really crazy, but really so simple.
OK, I need to stop because this is quite a passionate subject for me indeed! Thank you again for visiting and offering your wise, calming words! I need like you here in this space Rob … you add a tremendous amount of value!
Have a safe, wonderful day!
Much kindness,
Elena
Elena Patrice recently posted..Word of the Week: Mislead / Misled
Ha ha ha…I so knew you were a professional presenter …your serious Elena..so glad I discovered you. ..or maybe ..you discovered me..who knows..who cares, lol.
So why do you think some businesses can be so tricky and occasionally underhand when it come to handling their business? I have been trying to clearly define what I do in terms of my content writing/copy writing much more lately. When taking on new clients, I very clearly state my prices, what I can do, what I can’t and how and what time frame I think I can achieve what is being asked.
I find it just easier to have everything on the table, rather than this vague wishy washy way of working. It also saves a lot of time in pointless admin, emails back and forth etc. However, I have come across so many misleading clients..who pay for one thing..but expect another. Who agree one price..yet half way through… want to start negotiating the price ..down! I try never to mislead both current or potential clients..but goodness knows I have been misled a few time, lol. Nice topic here…
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Ah Stacey, to see your smashing red hat (my fav color, but you already knew
) and that million $ smile … such a joy to have you visit!! 
It distresses me to hear about you dilemma. As well, it mystifies me. Truly, internally, I can’t grasp it, so it’s hard for me to define or explain it. I think it’s just unethical and definitely creates bad blood. Perhaps the feeling is that they have the upper hand and you’ll do whatever they ask because you “need” it or you’re already so committed or they can find someone else if you don’t play ball. It requires some type of psychology degree I swear, as I feel like I play more “counselor” than anything when trying to figure out the minds of these types of people.
It takes a tough nature with a respectful, gentle delivery to maintain your dignity and respect your profession and talents. You take pride in your work, as you most definitely should. I do the same. When someone starts messing with the guidelines or the rules, I firmly (and sometimes fiercely) set them straight. My attitude really comes down to, “Next” and I move on down the line. You stand firm and set a precedence ma’am … my guess is that sooner rather than later you’ll weed out those who mislead and attract those only deserving of your time and faboo talents.
Keep me posted or let me at ‘em and I’ll set them straight!
Here’s to being upfront and honest!!
Blue skies to you my friend,
Elena
Elena Patrice recently posted..Word of the Week: Mislead / Misled
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Hey, your vid didn’t pop up for some reason.
The firm I work for and also a part owner of was established in 1941. If you took a poll you would find people consider us reputable, trustworthy and operate with the highest integrity. We pride ourselves on that.
Being a sales and service organization and especially in these economic times; it could be very easy to cut corners or provide less than complete information to get the ‘deal done’. Fortunately our culture is to do things the right way and to walk away from a deal if it means compromising our integrity.
Are we perfect; absolutely not, but with this as our culture it is sure a good moral compass to go by.
I just takes getting caught misleading someone one time to lose someone’s trust and put your credibility in jeopardy. Whatever you do, if you plan on being in that business for any length of time, it is so not worth it.
Transparency is always key.
Thanks for sharing this today ma’am.
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Thank you so much for stopping by Bill and for your wise (and heartwarming) input! It’s sooo wonderful first, to learn that you value your company’s reputation as you do; and second, that you understand that it’s better to walk away than compromise your integrity! AMEN!! Just like I wrote to Stacey, “Next” is my line. No way, no how, I don’t need anyone’s business that much (and believe I need everyone’s business that much!
he!).
We live in a time where there are so many other options for people that if you do compromise or lose that trust, you’re forgotten or dismissed without a second thought or worse it’s screamed out to the rest of the world literally within seconds, that you’re worthless. I wrote a post prior titled “As a Business I Have the Power …” which addresses the power of reviews and social media and the power we hold in our hands these days … literally. People sometimes I think forget this. Kind of like going through a drive-thru and cursing at the person taking your order … remember they can spit in your food and you may not realize it!
Ahh… transparency one of my favorite words and definitely the next word of the week (thank you sir!). I am a wacko fanatic about this in our business and you know what? It pays off for us huge! I sleep well at night, especially when someone has mentioned this to us during the course of our day. For us, as for you too obviously, it’s the only way!
Thank you again sir for your input! It’s always a pleasure to learn your thoughts!
Abundant kindness,
Elena
P.S. – I have a couple of really funny takes of me saying, “I know Mr. Dorman …” Future bloopers for sure! I couldn’t help myself to say something about you because I knew, I just knew … you’re too on the ball to let that go!
Elena Patrice recently posted..Word of the Week: Mislead / Misled
Ah yes, always be kind and courteous to people who handle your food……:)
Bloopers, huh? That sounds interesting……..
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says:
Hey Elena,
Sorry! Came by so late! Was mislead..
When I was in college we were supposed to do a project and we were split into groups of 5; wherein two groups work in collaboration in the preliminary stage and then we do independent work later on. Then I learnt the true meaning of being misled. Then I learnt that though we weren’t pitched against each other, people led to create that atmosphere. So, while we were supposed to be working together, we blindly believed that others are working with us, sadly that wasn’t true.
Being misled is certainly tough but the worst act could be misleading someone…really? What makes people do that?
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You are quite the humorous one my friend … love it!! Good one!
Interesting experience and one that obviously made an impact on you Hajra. Funny how stuff stays with us.
I totally agree with you that it is worse to mislead. That notion actually keeps me up at night. My mother says it best when she says, “Just because you wouldn’t do that to someone, doesn’t mean the wouldn’t do it to you.” Sad commentary, but a reality nonetheless.
Thanks so much for stopping by Hajra … always a joy!
Much kindness,
Elena
P.S. – Did I tell you how much I loooove your Googl+ pic!! Faboo x’s 10!!!
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As a consumer, I make sure that I read the fine print all the time. I don’t want to end up being misled either intentional or unintentional.
Smart! Always be one step ahead; however, I don’t think you have a problem with that Dr. Doebler!
Elena Patrice recently posted..Word of the Week | Transparency.
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