>They discovered the contrary to be the case. If anything, the successful companies had more acknowledged problems. The difference, however, was that they SOLVED their problems. Because staff had confidence that basically any problem was solvable, they didn't hide problems they were aware of. Hence, the higher visibility of more problems. By contrast, the unsuccessful shops had one or two big problems around that they never quite got their hands around.
We actually got a few customers by exactly pointing out which things don't work in our software. The things were no major things, and the overall expression that we're not hiding anything, and that the major problems were solved - did the sale. Sometimes we'd show the stuff to a customer, and then tell them to visit another customer who will tell them everything that's wrong with our product. This worked even better - specially when we were not around when they talked.
>P.S. Do I recall that you hark from Serbia? My grandfather was a Slovene and with great pride took us on a tour of his beautiful motherland back in the late 60's. On the trip, we did visit a sister of his in Belgrade. It was the most pleasant vacation I've ever spent -- although it was my first visit with the many of my cousins, we were instantly welcomed as part of a long lost family. And, we had our share of slivovitz!
Plum brandy is Belgrade and south; I'm from the flatlands to the north - and it's more the grape, apricot, quince and pear brandies country. Actually, it'd be a waste if I had to take back all the reserves thereof that I have here, if this employment xenophobia forces me home.