How Playfully Jabbing Former Employers Gives You Leverage For Successful Solopreneuring

The way you speak about your past employers is crucial for a successful transition from a corporate job to solopreneurship.

If an employer became your competitor, would you badmouth that competitor?

There is a better way.

Focus on disassociating from your employer by positioning yourself distinctively as an improved expert because of those experiences you had as an employee.

Claim the good of having worked for an employer but emphasize the better opportunities you now pursue as a solopreneur because of it.

But don't leave it there. Be creative!

Case Study: Pepsi vs. Coke – The Art of the Playful Jab

Jason Feifer, Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine, recently shared a brilliant example of how Pepsi cleverly positioned itself against Coca-Cola without resorting to outright insults.

Coke boasted of selling four times more soda than Pepsi.

So, Pepsi responded with a creative ad.

A young boy, seemingly from a less affluent background, buys two Coke cans from a vending machine just to use them as stilts to reach the Pepsi button.

The ad implied in a colorful way that even if Coke sells more quantity, Pepsi is still worth the extra effort because of its quality.

It was a playful jab that worked because it was charming, and for Pepsi lovers true.

It acknowledged Pepsi’s smaller market share, while highlighting its unique appeal.

This applies to your former employers, who are much bigger than little solopreneur you may be playing inside the same market.

Why Avoid Dissing Your Former Employers As A Solopreneur

Your potential clients may have positive associations with or interests in your former employers.

Badmouthing these companies may feel like a personal attack on your clients’ preferences and decisions.

Don't end up inadvertently insulting your audience.

Also, when you focus on a competitor’s weaknesses, you divert attention from your own strengths.

The best solopreneurs do the opposite.

They build trust by acknowledging competitors’ strengths while discussing why their own strengths are a better fit.

In short, don't lose focus on your strengths by talking about your competitors' weaknesses.

Look for where your strengths align better with your clients' needs than do your competitors.

Practical Tool: Canva for SWOT Analysis

Positioning yourself distinctively requires being always quickly clear and consistent about your strengths and opportunities.

Consequently, always be ready also with your own list of weaknesses and threats, not to focus on them, but to be soundly aware of them.

Doing a SWOT analysis is basic to meet this objective. Use a Canva template to design one reflecting your own unique value and style.

"What you want to come out of your SWOT analysis are fresh insights and strategies to bank on your strengths, turn around weaknesses, take advantage of opportunities, and ward off potential threats," the template page tells you.

Give it a try and have this tool always available for you.

A SWOT Without A Story Is Incomplete

Having only a SWOT, however, is like having a summary of a story without knowing the story.

In your transition from employee to solopreneur, you need a narrative.

For that, you'll need a framework for clarifying your message, so customers may listen and engage with you.

"Building a StoryBrand" by Donald Miller is an excellent resource to help you articulate your unique value proposition and position yourself positively in the market.

Unless you do this, customers won't understand what you can do for them, even if you know your own strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, and the employer experiences that have made you a remarkable subject matter expert in your field.

The Pepsi Ad’s Subtle Genius

Pepsi’s ad succeeded because it was lighthearted and effectively acknowledged its own position in the market, leveraging its own competitor's words to do so.

It didn’t deny Coke’s dominance but instead positioned itself as special – a worthwhile choice despite its smaller market share according to Coca-Cola.

This approach built trust, even loyalty, and encouraged nuanced conversations that could get it more market share.

Links to Earlier Articles

1. Your Position Was Eliminated. But Not The Work, Was It?
2. Why Rebel Against The 40-hour Week!
3. Do You Like Being A Corporate Lab Rat?

Position Yourself Wisely!

When talking about your past employee roles, focus on what you learned and how you’re leveraging that experience for your solopreneurship.

Build trust by highlighting your strengths, and avoid unnecessary negativity or talking about weaknesses.

Remember that your journey to successful solopreneurship is about moving forward with your practice, not dwelling in the past of your former employers.

Playfully jab. Don't badmouth. Distinguish your solopreneurship a special.