How to Handle Suspected Fake Reviews and More of Your Questions Answered

SOCIAL MEDIA

I suspect a competitor is posting negative reviews on Google. What should I do?

You can flag and report suspicious reviews directly via your Google Business Profile dashboard. Locate the review, click the three dots next to it, and select “Flag as inappropriate” or “Report review.” Google promises to then review it and can remove reviews that violate its policies, such as fake reviews, spam, or reviews containing prohibited content. It helps to have evidence like proof the reviewer’s account is new, suspicious wording, multiple fake reviews, etc. Even if you’re absolutely sure the review is fake and their motives are malicious, respond professionally — taking the high road will demonstrate your commitment to authentic feedback and customer service. And definitely don’t attempt to retaliate or post fake reviews yourself, as this can violate platform policies and harm your reputation in the long run.

Other things you can do:

• Actively solicit honest reviews from genuine customers with a goal to drown out any fake ones.
• Monitor reviews regularly so you can react quickly to suspicious ones and flag them promptly.
• And if you believe fake reviews are part of a larger defamation or smear campaign, consulting with legal counsel may be appropriate for further action.

MANAGEMENT

How can I match jobs to people who’ll actually want them?

Handing out jobs can feel like punishment duty — until you realize different people see the same task very differently. Business coach Dave Bailey recommends an exercise called Planning Poker: you describe the job, and everyone silently picks a numbered card for how much effort it will take. A “2” means easy, a “9” means hard. When the cards flip, you see the spread. The gaps spark quick discussion — maybe one person knows there’s hidden work while another doesn’t. But here’s the bonus: those mismatched numbers often reveal natural fits. Someone who rates phone calls as a “2” should be the one making them, while the staffer who sees calls as a “9” can take on a different job they find aligns with their skills. Planning Poker turns assigning work from guesswork into a team exercise where staff feel heard, jobs get divided fairly, and people actually end up with tasks they don’t dread.

MINDSET

What’s a “luck diary” and why keep one?

Richard Wiseman, professor of psychology at the University of Hertfordshire in the UK and author of “The Luck Factor”, suggests writing down every lucky break — big or small — at the end of each day. After a month, you’ll see just how many you’ve had. Poker pros do the same with spreadsheets to track what went right or wrong. It’s not about superstition. It’s about training your brain to notice fortune instead of only failure.

STRATEGY

Is success really just talent and hard work?

Nope. Nobel Prize-winning economist Daniel Kahneman says success is simply talent plus luck. “Great success,” he adds, “is a little more talent and a lot of luck.” Sure, hard work matters. But pretending luck isn’t in the mix is like pretending gravity won’t affect your fall. Ignore it, and you’ll hit the ground hard.