When Your Company Name Becomes a Killer

Always have a backup plan when naming a product or service. You never know when bad news might affect business.

(Of course it's not just companies, it can be people too. You know this guy gets all kinds of ribbing even today. And this poor guy.)

I'm not sure how things are going for Manson Construction out of Seattle, but they've probably weathered the toughest part by now. Same goes for Kansas City Chevy dealer Cable-Dahmer.

Those companies stuck it out and stayed in business, likely saying, "We will not tarnish the memory of Great Grandaddy Manson, who gave all he had to this company. This too, shall pass."

Not so for this unfortunate company. Sales dropped 50% in the aftermath of the discovery of AIDS and they eventually gave up.



You never know when a lone gunman with your name or an epidemic that sounds like your name will strike. Your business strategy should include an emergency plan for these unfortunate possibilities.

I'm not kidding. This former Chiefs wide receiver could've broken every NFL receiving record and still never landed on the first page of Google when someone searched his name.