Tips for startups: how to deal with skeptics

All future entrepreneurs should warn - you will hear a lot of criticism. Some comments will be objective, and we must learn to calmly accept them in order to correct the deficiencies of the business. But there are also spiteful critics who criticize just for the pleasure to do it. Here are four types of useless skepticism, often faced by startups, and advice on how to deal with them.

1. You're a little too young. You finished business school, or at least some courses?

If you are young and have already tried to create their own business, it can only be a cause for pride. For business there is no age limit, and do not require special education for your own business. All you need to do - it is a passion and the courage to begin.

When someone asks you to skepticism about the age, it is not necessary to react strongly to this, angry or stormy something to prove. Then you just accused of childishness. Just remind them that new ideas come from a fresh perspective, and this view is most often in young people.

If the skeptic doubts in your knowledge, remember that the passion for your cause and belief in success is no less important than a ton of information from business books, seminars and business schools.

2. So in general really earn?

When the "caring" friends and relatives are skeptical about the business idea, hinting that so generally impossible to make money, you can bring the statistics.

Of course, before you start your business, you know how things are going with your sphere. Citing official data from different sources - business publications and specialized websites, you are sure to erase from the face of a skeptical expression "well-wisher".

3. Your target audience is not too narrow?

This is just an example of statements that cast doubt on your strategy, method of doing things or business orientation.

In response, we can confidently explain why your strategy is going to work, or, better yet, ask your opponent what he advises. Typically, the skeptics are pleased to criticize others, but they have nothing to offer. So you will likely see a look of surprise and hear muttering.

If the skeptic express real advice about your business, you can lay out their arguments and end the conversation the fact that pretty soon you will know who was right.

4. Did you think that you will do if nothing happens?

This question can be answered as follows: "No, it's not even crossed my mind. I can not imagine myself without her case, and if with him something goes wrong, I will not give it, but simply to change the strategy, find errors and correct them. Besides, I do not have time to think what would happen if something does not work. "

Ask skeptic if he had a business, he would have done everything in his power to deal not be burned? So you do the same, and no failures then can we talk?

Maybe you should not even pay attention to such statements and emotionally react or respond to them. But, on the other hand, some resentment for the trick can be useful - the protest will help you move forward.

And if you are determined and will firmly respond to skepticism, defending his point of view, it will give you self-confidence led to believe that your idea will work and will strengthen your intention to prove that they were wrong.