Business cliches can be a great tool for helping everyone in the office remember the simple rules of running a successful business.
However, like any other saying, business cliches can be untrue or even misleading if you take them too literally. The key to these cliches is to take them with a "grain of salt"!
The key to these cliches is not to take them too seriously at first!
Business cliches You May Have Heard:
"If it is not broken, do not fix it!" Common Meaning: If something is running pretty well, do not try to make it better.
Tip: Every business will be required to move with or ahead of the times in order to enjoy continued success. Prioritize your goals and work on those that promise the best return for your time and money invested.
"Build a better mousetrap, and the world will beat a path to your door." Common Meaning: All you need to do is come up with a great invention or innovation, and you will be flooded with business.
Tip: Creativity is definitely the key to becoming the front-runner in any business niche.
However, do not forget that unless you effectively market and sell your product, you'll be left in the dust behind your competitors.
"Do not re-invent the wheel." Common Meaning: It's better to do things the usual way.
Tip: Granted, simple is sometimes best. However, although you may not want to re-invent the wheel, that does not mean the wheel (your product or service) can not be "tweaked" a bit to make it the one that stands out from the rest.
"The ball is in your court." Common Meaning: It's your turn to make the next move.
Tip: Take your time making decisions regarding the next move for your business. Sometimes, the best decision is to walk away from a proposal that may look good initially, but once you delve deeper, you realize it's best for your business if you decline.
"Swing for the fines …." Common Meaning: Try to hit a home run and score some runs! In other words, try to make an unusually big success on every attempt.
Tip: Be consistent and efficient in the small things of business and now and then you'll enjoy that "home run" too. Focus on the details. Successful business people of the world did not get to where they are in one fell swoop – they built up their business slowly and consistently.
"Act in haste, and repent in leisure." Common Meaning: If you do things too quickly without thinking it through enough, you'll probably have lots of time to regret your poor decisions.
Tip: Do not wait forever to make a decision, but do employ wise decision-making skills with all the facts in hand before moving forward with any aspect of your business.
"Do not sweat the small stuff." Common Meaning: Do not worry about little things; concentrate on the big things.
Tip: Do the small things matter? Yes! (See the next cliche.)
"It just takes time ….." Common Meaning: Many people believe cliches like: "Time heals all wounds." "Give it time." "This too will pass."
Tip: Time does heal minor infractions between associates, but the deep-separated issues will require a more direct approach to resolve completely. Challenges in business will demand time for assessing the problem, excellent problem-solving skills, and unpredictable timing.
"The devil's in the details." Common Meaning: It's very important to dot all the "i's, and cross all the" t "s.
Tip: Do you know and trust the person handling the finances and inner workings of your company? Make sure to have a network of people who effectively serve as "checks and balances" for each other.
"Go for the low-hanging fruit." Common Meaning: It's better to capitalize on the easiest pickings first.
Tip: Instead of being like everyone else, make your product or service stand out from the rest – be unique – and you'll garner the business in your field!
"Business as usual." Common Meaning: It's the normal, routine way business is implemented at that organization. (This is one of the business cliches that actually implies several different things.)
Tip: Every business will encounter difficulties. Perhaps your business is continuing to make changes to keep up with the times since the obstacles placed before you. Or, sometimes you need to consider making some changes in order to "stay in the race" and not only keep your current clients satisfied, but to attract new ones too.