Is Your Business Lucky?

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The fear of the number 13(triskaidekaphobia) and specifically, the fear of Friday the 13^th (paraskevidekatriaphobia) dates back centuries.  According to Dr. Donald Dossey, a psychotherapist specializing in the treatment of phobias, who coined the latter term, there may be as many as 21 million people in the United States who fear Friday the 13^th.  In fact, superstitions of all kind are not uncommon amongst Americans.  Results from an October 2007 AP/Ipsos poll show that one in five people say they are at least somewhat superstitious.

Think of your own superstitions.  “Have you ever rescheduled an important meeting because your horoscope advised it was not going to be a good day? How many times have you risked running late to a meeting with a new client because you could not find your lucky tie?” asks an about.com writer.  What if your important meeting couldn’t be rescheduled, or your frenzied search for your lucky tie actually caused you to be late?  Chances are these outcomes would be worse than what would occur if you had carried on business as usual, superstition-free.

Putting your own superstitions aside may be necessary when running a business, still, it may be possible to benefit off of the superstitions of the rest of the country.

According to Jennifer Wang’s article for Entrepreneur, studies show that $800 million to $900 million in business revenue is lost on Friday the 13th.  Professionals advise small business owners to take steps toward easing lost sales on that day, as well as capitalizing on positive superstitions.

So instead of hiding out in fear, use the day to focus on your customers and getting them to utilize your business.