“Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.” Sun TzuIt is good to be underestimated in business.
Most entrepreneurs want to be a media darling, land venture capital and star in their own movies. But arguably, it is even better to be the underdog — deemed inferior and not worth watching.
In recent months, “Google’s Bradley Horowitz fired back at Mark Zuckerberg’s claim that the company is “building its own little Facebook” saying that Google is “delighted to be underestimated” by its rival.” Why, because Horowitz and others who have been vastly underestimated realize the depth and breadth of competitive advantages that await them.
If you’ve ever been underestimated in business remember that “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards (Steve Jobs).”
Never give up, because:
1. Henry Ford failed and went broke five times before he succeeded.
2. Beethoven’s teacher called him “hopeless as a composer.” He then went on to write five of his greatest symphonies while completely deaf.
3. R. H. Macy failed seven times before his store in New York City caught on.
4. Albert Einstein did not speak until he was 4-years-old and did not read until he was 7 … teachers described him as “mentally slow, unsociable, and adrift forever in foolish dreams.”
5. Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor because “he lacked imagination and had no good ideas.”
6. After his first audition, actor Sidney Poitier was told by the casting director, “Why don’t you stop wasting people’s time and go out and become a dishwasher or something?
The underlying theme is simple; underestimation is a distinct competitive advantage.
If you’re developing a new technology (and you’re underestimated) you can be first to market. As a startup you can virtually fly under the radar and solidify your position, as Pinterest did — going unrecognized for four years and suddenly being coined an “overnight success.”
Last year, “the creators of Angry Birds (Rovio studios) announced that they had taken $42 Million in funding. They currently hold the record for the best selling iOS game ever. There is talks of a movie being produced featuring Angry Birds.” But most don’t know that the guys over at Rovio spent eight years working on other games before they finally caught a huge break.
There is tremendous power in being underestimated – leverage it.
Did you enjoy this article? If so, subscribe to YFS Magazine and never miss an update. Don’t forget to make our friendship official and join Young, Fabulous & Self-Employed entrepreneurs on Facebook.
Erica Nicole is the Founder and CEO of YFS Magazine
strategy and business 