Improve Your Business by Learning From Others

The Spanish-American novelist George Santayana once wrote, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." There's a certain irony in that phrase due to the fact that it is often misquoted or attributed to someone else - falsely representing the very history Santayana hoped we would all learn from.

One of the most obvious applications of this phrase is in business. Thousands of businesses have come and gone, with those who have stood the test of time often having the best practices. For businesses just starting out, they can stumble blindly through the business process - making the same errors as their predecessors - or they can learn from what has come before them, giving them a head start in their venture.

Researching other businesses - past and present - is both a preparatory and ongoing task. Before launching a business, those at the helm of a wise business will study other businesses to see what qualities made them succeed or fail, and what changes were made along the way. And even once the business is started and thriving, continual research into good business practices should never cease.

Another great business resource is people. Having a constant mentor can make the difference between success and failure, although any time spent with someone who has been through the rigors of business will be a priceless asset to any business. Even talking to someone who has failed at business may be a good way to learn what not to do.

There are also various opportunities for ongoing business education including formal classes, conferences, seminars, books, lectures, and more. And with technology the way it is today - having constant access to webinars, eBooks that can read themselves out loud, and downloadable content that can be taken anywhere - there is no reason for those working toward a business' success to not always be learning new things.

But perhaps the most valuable resource when trying to learn from others experiences is the customer. Not only have they experienced the business (hopefully) but they have a lifetime of experiences dealing with related and unrelated businesses. They certainly don't want bad history to repeat itself when seeking out new products or services, so they will often be willing to lend precious advice.

It's also vital for a business to learn from its own experiences and mistakes. It's often okay to make a mistake, as long as it's only made once. But by taking full advantage of the world of resources already available, a wise business will be able to avoid many of the common downfalls that have plagued businesses of the past.

Scott Spjut is a writer and editor who has been featured in various magazines, newspapers and websites, including Newsweek, the Washington Post, CBS News and the Las Vegas Review-Journal. With a B.A. in Communications, he continues to write on a wealth of topics - politics, health and fitness, business, marketing and more. Scott currently works with Professional Marketing International helping people change their lives.