Whining about competitors not productive
We know the set-up: Mattress sales are down as the industry suffers through another brutal year. Mattress companies are trimming costs. Consumers don’t have much appetite for a new mattress. In short, times are tough.
This is a time, I think you would agree, that mattress producers need to be on top of their games. But I see something else happening, something that isn’t healthy. In my conversations with producers, far too many are taking shots at one another or at me, complaining that one company or another is getting more favorable coverage than they are.
My response: Stick to your own knitting. If your company wants more coverage, then do more newsworthy things. Send me press releases. Tell me what you are doing. But don’t whine about the coverage another company is getting. When you do, that just takes you off of your game.
Think about that phrase “your game.” Yes, you control the actions taken by your company. You can’t control anything that your competitors do, so stop worrying and whining about them. Instead, take charge of your own destiny. Figure out what you need to do to make a bigger splash in the marketplace. That’s a lot more productive use of your time.
tommy b the bed selling daddy commented:
Public/investor owned and bedding manufacturer are not a good mix. The past 5 years should be all the proof anyone needs! Now didn't take long did it?? Used to be they took good care of the retailer "the customer" well darn the CEO, the Board of Directors and the Investor is now the customer. Not much/none left for the old retailer. Maybe 2-3% discount and sell off the warranty returns. much like penny slots in Vegas
Dave Perry commented:
Joe: Methinks, in your protest on a trade press Web site, that you doth protest too much.
Joe commented:
Getting coverage in trade magazines does ZERO to make sales, so who cares?
Steve commented:
This is a little off topic but then again it isnt. Recently Sit n Sleep has aired some really poignant and well done commercials concerning mattresses and no its not his usual tagline of "your mattress is freeee". He brought up a point that we as manufacturers have always told our customers; replace your mattress every 7 to 10 years. Finally someone that is highly recognized in the industry has used his persona for good and not evil....Kudos Mr. Miller, a job well done. Too bad ISPA and the CPSC didnt do a better job of this.
STEVE commented:
ITS ALL ABOUT THE BIG 3 ISNT IT!
SEALY-SERTA-SIMMONS!
YOU WOULD THINK THERE THE ONLY ONES WHO KNOW HOW TO MAKE A MATTRESS! I WONT SELL ANY OF THEM!
BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT!!!!!
WHY DONT YOU TELL CONSUMERS THERE ARE ALOT OF GOOD MATTRESS MANUFACTURERS OUT THERE WHO MAKE A BETTER BED FOR LESS MONEY!!!!!
MAYBE WILL GET LUCKY AND ALL THREE "S" BRANDS WILL GO OUT OF BUSINESS!!!! THEN THE CONSUMER WOULD GET A BREAK!!!!
Dave Perry commented:
Diego: OK. One example is a company whose name starts with an "S" complaining about another company whose name starts with an "S." Does that help?
Jackson George commented:
Good point. You don't see Jim Green whining about David Perry or vice versa. Of course if they were ever in the same room without robust restraints, it would surely be a blog bloodbath@!
Diego commented:
C'mon, Dave. Name names.
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