Five Pearls of Chinese Wisdom for Small Business Owners

Chinese New Year is a monumental event that’s celebrated not only in China but throughout the world. If you didn’t already know, 2017 is the year of the Fire Rooster, referred to as the epitome of responsibility, punctuality, and trustworthiness. The rooster has been nature’s perfect alarm clock for ages. It’s not surprising that its primary skill is communication. With that in mind, you’ll want to put particular emphasis on your company’s marketing, advertising, and sales this year. Why? The Fire Rooster highly favors those types of communication endeavors, so investing in them will bring you unprecedented opportunities and success.

This year, Chinese New Year officially starts on January 28, but festivities will begin on the 27th and carry on all the way through February 2. In the spirit of the holiday, we’ve gathered several enlightening Chinese proverbs that every small business owner and entrepreneur should contemplate. Read on, wise one…

“Cheap things are not good; good things are not cheap.”

We find it ironic that this is a Chinese proverb, but nonetheless, it is a good one to keep in mind. It reminds us that cheaper isn’t always better. Look at the value of something rather than its price tag. Whether it’s a product or a service, think long term as to what you’ll get out of it. A more expensive investment may have a much better ROI in the long run.

“A single conversation with a wise man is better than ten years of study.”

Reading books is great, and you can glean much from them. However, networking with those who are experts and influencers in your field is beyond valuable. Befriend them, offer them something of value in return, and you’ll have the chance to learn from their real-world experiences, not to mention the inside scoop on what’s really going on in your industry.

“Defeat isn’t bitter if you don’t swallow it.”

Failing at something doesn’t mean that your journey is over. Many entrepreneurs state that you should “fail fast.” You may experience a few failures before you discover a winner, and that’s okay. Don’t beat yourself up. Adopt the mindset that failing is an important lesson. Learn to grow from it and move on.

“The emperor is rich, but he cannot buy one extra year.”

No matter your wealth, the one thing that you cannot buy is time. Without a doubt, time is your most valuable asset. So keep in mind that money isn’t everything. Use your time wisely. Be sure to set aside quality time to spend with family and friends. Venture out and gain meaningful life experiences. Say no to coffees and lunches that do nothing for you. On your deathbed, you won’t be wishing that you worked more during the most active, healthy years of your life.

“Words are just words, and without heart, they have no meaning.”

Our virtual forms of communication can often send mixed messages. Curt emails and chat sessions are not always the best method to talk. When you have an important message to convey to someone, take the time to call them. Over the phone, your recipient will hear the heartfelt enthusiasm and passion in your voice. It makes your phone a crucial business tool that other forms of communication simply can’t replicate.

Do you have any insightful Chinese proverbs to share? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.