Distinguishing real from fake companies
Distinguishing real from fake companies
Albeit at first sight many companies seem legit business, they’re in fact not.
In order not to get scammed by purchasing what they do, or wasting time unsuccessfully trying to be hired by them, here’s a quick guide about it.
Premise
With “company”, within the modern entrepreneurial context, we mean a free market business venture: a team of people who make a living from helping other people – be it so through providing a service (e.g. Plumbing, dentistry), or selling goods (that includes experiences – for instance: a concert!). In other words: they provide their clientele with clear value for what they paid for.
Within this scenario, the economical landscape is self regulating. Meaning that the individuals themselves give equilibrium to this system – practically speaking: companies that don’t help go out of business, because people don’t pay to them – whereas companies who do help thrive, because people find what these companies do necessary (and pay for it).
Tangible proof that there’s lots of fake companies
Inflation.
Inflation happens when you have to inject printed money (literally: fake money – because it doesn’t reflect a tangible help provided to society) into companies that can’t make a living on their own.
(“But companies need to stay afloat to keep workers’ wages! It is real help!” this one makes as much sense as a plumber who can’t fix your sink but still wants your money: if you can’t provide help to society, you need to learn how to do it – not to handouts)
Here’s a fun website to understand how bad is it: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy/inflation/inflation-calculator
Tests
Test 1: recruitment
When real companies recruit
- they do so meritocratically: they hire the best skills – not the best politicians.
- “Politicians” meaning someone good with words but bad at work – or, in other words: con artists. I don’t need to explain why hiring con artists is bad.
- they have a clear idea of what they’re looking for
- They are FAST: if you know what you need, you just go get it.
- They’re honest: “yes” or “no”.
- They’re easy to deal with: if you know what you need, it’s just a matter of checking things out – just like doing groceries: you know the recipe? Then, it’ll be easy to list the ingredients.
- averagely speaking, they do so very often! Both because there’s plenty of problems to solve around the world, meaning lots of work to do, and because it’s incredibly hard to find effective professionals within modern society.
Test 2: proactivity
Real companies are very proactive. Meaning that, in general, their answers are
- Prompt (hours – days, at most)
- Clear
- Decisive (you can do things according to them)
Don’t be tricked by the “I’m busy”
Being so busy that you can’t handle your business properly is not good nor normal. It is somewhat acceptable during times of transition – but, as the name suggests: transition. It shouldn’t be the norm. So, if someone is constantly busy, they either can’t manage their company or they’re giving an excuse not to work – both cases: very likely, not a real company. Because when you’re actually out there for work, you learn how to run your business (even just out of sheer hours spent on it) – and you’re on the lookout for new opportunities.
Test 3: attitude
Someone actually interested in doing work isn’t too worried about formalities or “power”: they’re just there to do work. If instead you feel like visiting the court of some despotic tyrant …you very much probably are: human interaction is very, very easy. Even dogs get it (you did notice dogs get along well with people, right?). So, if you see difficulties in establishing a good communication line (as in: one in which communication doesn’t get in the way of accomplishing things), one of the parties is almost inevitably arbitrarily hijacking the system. For instance: to create a power dynamic – or, in plain english: “playing hard to get”. Because they know your brain has a bias that gives value to what is hard to get. Basically: conning you into believing they’re more important than they actually are.
Test 4: awards and credentials
Awards and credentials are status symbols: they’re “surrogates of value”. So, very simply put: why bother with surrogates when you can have the real thing? If you actually are offering something, just show the damn thing. Don’t give me gold painted plastic souvenirs: show me the product and let me evaluate with my own eyes. Same for skills: you’re really that good at something? Show me what you made so far. Show me how you can solve a problem on the spot. Show me how you can ask relevant questions.
If instead you get lost in trophies and titles… That’s probably all you have: a smoke screen. Behind which to hide a big nothing.
Solutions
Unfortunately, they’re all about damage control. If someone gets to adult age (which, for the record, is 18 years old) without the mindset to be a proactive member of society, they very likely never will have one.
So, more or less, you’re left with 2 options:
- Avoid fake companies, and look for the real ones.
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- People are extremely unidimensional: don’t expect them to be sloppy in one field and, suddenly, extremely professional in another one. So, if you see trash from the get go – that’s all you’re gonna get. So as to say: don’t try to fix broken companies. If they are, it means they like it.
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- If 1 doesn’t work: create your own company.
I know it can be tough, especially in a society that encourages you to live your life as a spectator, to think about creating a company – but, if there isn’t someone who can help, that’s all you’re left with.
Good news is: the fact there isn’t another left is great for competition – because it means you won’t have much…! And society still needs to go forward – meaning there still is a request for what you do.
An interesting question for another time: how is it that these fake companies live, then?
Which is a question that, if you’ll investigate, will bring you on one of the most “exciting” (euphemism for disturbing) journeys of your professional life.
But, nonetheless: they don’t live a good life. Sooner or later, they fall – and, depending how bad it was, you might find their management in jail.