7 Simple Stories That Will Transform Your Business and Life
Game-changing wisdom for a new perspective on business and life.
These 7 short narratives, extracted from the Chinese social media platform Little Red Book (RED), might seem simple, but they actually hold valuable insights and profound wisdom that can potentially alter your perspective on both business and sometimes, life. I hope you will enjoy them.
(1) The Economics of Doing Business
A girl wanted to buy some milk. The seller said, “One bottle is $3, or you can get three bottles for $10.” The girl thought it was a good deal, so she gave $3 for one bottle, and she did that three times. She told the seller, “Look, I spent only $9 for three bottles!” The seller laughed and said, “I always sell three bottles this way. Smart, huh?”
Morale of the story: Sometimes, sellers can use clever pricing strategies to make customers think they are getting a good deal, even though the actual cost may be the same. It’s important for buyers to be aware and make informed decisions.
(2) Know What Your Customer Wants
A millionaire wanted to pick a wife from three choices. He gave each of them $1,000 and asked them to fill up his room. Girl A bought a bunch of cotton but could only fill half the room. Girl B got a bunch of balloons but only filled 3/4 of the room. Girl C bought a candle and filled the room with light. In the end, the millionaire chose the prettiest one.
Morale of the story: Understanding your customer’s preferences or needs is essential. In the case of the millionaire, he just want a pretty wife, no matter what the girls do.
(3) Don’t Make It A Habit
A beggar used to go to Ben’s house to ask for money. Ben would give him $10 every time. This kept happening for two years. Then one day, Ben only gave him $5. The beggar was confused and asked, “You used to give me $10, why only $5 now?” Ben replied, “I am married now.” The beggar got mad and slapped Ben, saying, “You used my money for your wife?”
Morale of the story: If you often give free services to your customers, and it becomes a habit, it may no longer feel like a privilege, but an obligation. They might start expecting it as a regular part of the service.
(4) Know Your Customer
A couple went to the mall. The wife wanted to buy an expensive cutlery set, but the husband said it was too expensive. The salesman whispered something to him, and suddenly, the husband agreed to buy it. What did the salesman say? “With this pricey set, your wife won’t want you risking washing the dishes.”
Morale of the story: You can’t change how someone thinks, but it’s crucial to understand your customer and try a different approach.
(5) The One Mistake that Management Often Makes
A girl bought a pair of pants that were too long. She asked her busy grandmother, mother, and sister to alter them, but they couldn’t right away. The next day, they all remembered and altered the pants. However, they each did it once, and now the pants became so short that she couldn’t wear them anymore.
Morale of the story: Working together as a team is really important, especially when many people are involved. It helps avoid confusion and prevents unintended negative outcomes.
(6) What A Broken Bowl Can Teach Us
An old man selling ceramics was walking with his products when suddenly, one bowl fell and broke. But he didn’t stop to check. People on the road were surprised and asked why. He said, “No matter how I look, the bowl is still broken.”
Morale of the story: Setbacks and challenges are inevitable. Instead of dwelling on the problem and let it hinder your progress, move forward and look for solutions.
(7) The Lion and the Mouse
A little mouse wanted to challenge a lion to a duel, but the lion said no. The mouse asked if he was scared. The lion replied, ‘If I agree, you can say you dueled a lion, but everyone else would laugh at me for fighting a mouse.”
Morale of the story: It is important to assess the significance of various challenges and opportunities. Do not engage in every challenge, especially those that may not contribute significantly to your overall goals, or may even have negative consequences.
I hope you liked these short stories and that they will change the way you approach your business and life. Which story resonates with you the most? Share your thoughts below!
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