Crafting and promoting the right message for your product
In today’s competitive market, having a great product is only part of the equation — what truly sets a brand apart is how clearly and effectively its message is delivered. And more!
Does this feel familiar?
Not because you’ve heard this Vietnamese folk tale before — but because it might mirror your own journey in starting a business or launching a product.
Let’s revisit the story and explore the deeper meaning behind it.
The Hanging Sign
A fish shop owner put up a big sign that read:
“Fresh Fish Sold Here.”
Soon after, a passerby chuckled and said: “Have you been selling stale fish all this time? Why do you need to say ‘fresh’?”
The owner, feeling self-conscious, erased the word “fresh.”
The next day, another customer looked at the sign and laughed: “Do people come to flower shops to buy fish? Why say ‘here’?”
The owner nodded and removed “here.”
A few days later, someone else came by and remarked: “If you weren’t selling fish, would you just display them for fun? Why say ‘sold’?”
The owner sighed and deleted “sold.” Now the sign simply read: “Fish.” He thought, Surely no one will criticize this.
But then a neighbor stopped by and said: “Come on — you can smell the fish from the end of the street. Anyone walking by can see what you’re selling. Why even bother with a sign?”
So the owner took the sign down altogether.
Standing Firm Amid a Sea of Opinions
Some may say this is a lesson in not “carving the plow in the middle of the road” — a Vietnamese idiom about constantly changing direction to please others. Instead, we’re reminded to hold our own ground, to cultivate a clear inner compass.
It sounds simple. But in practice, it demands deep inner strength.
In a world full of voices, we often hear about the importance of critical thinking — the ability to weigh different perspectives. Yet no matter how elegant the language, sometimes simplicity and clarity are the most powerful tools.
True discernment comes from both:
Synthesizing external information
And searching your inner Google — that quiet, intuitive wisdom within
Only then can you truly see the pros and cons of each suggestion, and make decisions with confidence.
A Gentle Reminder
Authentic value positioning isn’t about following a fixed formula. Your unique “business sign” doesn’t need to sparkle or shout — its true power lies in the real value you offer your customers.
Kindness in business is not a weakness — it’s a path to the success. When you choose to create shared value, you’re not just selling a product. You’re building trust. You’re honoring both sides: – Your customers receive genuine value – You receive the recognition you truly deserve
In that space, every effort becomes meaningful. Every step becomes sustainable. And what you gain isn’t just revenue — but also peace of mind, the kind that lets you lead not only with your mind, but with your heart.
The Journey of Courage and Responsibility
How do you keep the quality of courage alive — and honor the promises you’ve made to your customers?
You don’t need a Business Coach. And that’s perfectly okay.
Because each person has the freedom to choose, to try, to stumble, and to learn.
But if life brings you the rare chance to meet a Business Coach with deep expertise and a multidimensional perspective, you may discover something powerful:
– The ability to ask the right questions – The clarity to receive the most fitting answers – And the insight to see your path ahead
So you can walk it with peace, as a Zen leader who is whole — not just in your work, but in your heart and your home.