Every Business is a Small Town Business, with Andy Frisella - MFCEO17

Whether you operate from Los Angeles, CA or Little Flint, MO, Andy Frisella argues that the internet and social media have created a situation in which every business is a small town business.  If you want to succeed, you have to think like the owner of an old time general store.  Ben Newman and Vaughn Kohler join him in the studio.

Mr. Frisella's General Store Kicked Ass Because It Had To

Back in the 1800's, if you had a general store in some small town in the middle of nowhere, you had to run your business with integrity.  You had to have a great product, great service, and be a great person.  If you did, word got around town and business prospered.  If you didn't, if you screwed people over, you were screwed.  You had to do the right thing--or you were screwed.

The Era of Big Companies Screwing the Consumer Has Come and Gone

Over time, with the growth of America and the development of radio and television, an era began when big companies could control the media, lie about their products and service, screw the consumer, and get away with it.  But with the invention of the internet (thank, Al Gore) and the omnipresence of social media, it's impossible to hide.  People can now offer instant feedback.  They are more connected than ever.  So, in reality, the whole world has become a small town.  So every business is now a small town business.

It's Not an Option:  Be a Good Person. Do the Right Thing.

We've come full circle.  It's now incredibly important to not only have a good product or service, but to be a good person.  Andy is not against business strategies.  But the most important strategy is to have some fucking integrity.  People don't give a shit what you sell if they don't trust who you are.  Your company needs to be driven by character.

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