We live in a very contradictory time.
Everything is extreme to one side or the other.
For example, we have become politically
correct to a fault. The mere mention of your opinion on ANYTHING, can get
you banned, fired, or ostracized (my dictionary word of the day) from your
social media platform of
choice.
Yet, I can’t turn my TV on any regular
network show in front of the kids. Why? Because they are filled
with Viagra commercials, swearing, and gore. And that’s in the morning.
Thanks Kathie
Lee and Hoda.
Also, everybody wants to be unique.
To become unique, everybody looks to see
what other people are doing to be different, and then they copy that different
person. That’s why you have so many hip tweeters out there that call
themselves “Social Media Maven, hiker/swimmer/runner and lover of insert-bad-for-you-food-here.”
So in the spirit of being contradictory, I
would like to offer my two-cents worth when it comes to businesses:
- It is vital that
small business owners to give great customer service.
- It is vital that
small businesses to fire
customers. Bad ones. These are the customers that
are simply the “squeaky wheel”, that get greased, only to shut it
up. These customers define the 80/20 rule. That is they bring
you 80% of the headaches and only 20% of the revenue. If you are
afraid to fire them, simply raise the price of your services for them and
most will leave. The one’s that stay…….well at least you will be
paid for the extra babysitting.
- Be passionate about
what you do. Eat it, sleep it, and breathe it.
- You don’t have to follow your passion.
That is, if you are passionate about children, you may not necessarily be
cut out to own a daycare. I am passionate about football, but would
probably make a terrible GM (I was a Vince Young supporter, back in the
day.) You just need to be passionate about the business you have and
passionate about doing the right things, in the right way. If you do
that, the money will follow.
- Treat employees
the way you treat your customers (assuming you treat your customers
well.) The number one reason good employees
leave their job, is their relationship with their boss. Allow
them to provide input, give them regular feedback, and a little
professional development.
- Dismiss
C level employees. C level employees are the
employees that are there merely for a paycheck. They are the
“that’s not in my job description” employees. They are the negative
people who are complaining about the weather, traffic, and just can’t be
happy.
