The other week winds ravaged our town of Boulder, Colorado.
Wind gusts were recorded in excess of 92 m.p.h.
It’s times like these that I recognize the power of Mother Nature.
Anyway, we contacted several arborists for quotes to clean up all
the debris.
Besides one tree being uprooted, knocking down a lamp post and
laying across the road, our yard was littered with hundreds of smaller
branches from our various trees.
You couldn’t walk through our yard without climbing over a pile of
fallen branches taller then all three of our children.
The arborists all came back with quotes (differing by as much as 50%)
and we selected one, agreeing for him to come last Friday to trim all
the trees and remove the stump of the one that was uprooted.
Friday came and went without as much as a phone call. My wife even
called him several times as she was holding up plans until she could talk
with him and go over everything again.
Nothing, not a phone call or courtesy visit letting us know he couldn’t
(or wouldn’t) make it.
Not a word on Saturday. Not a word on Sunday.
Had this individual simply been committed to doing what he promised
(or even provided a courtesy call to reschedule), he wouldn’t have lost
out on a lucrative job.
But he didn’t and he did lose out. I wonder how much other business
he loses because of this.
How about you?
Do you follow through on your promises?
Are you reliable?
Do you do the little things (like a phone call) that makes the difference
between mediocre and exceptional?
Take a look around and see how you could provide “a little extra” to
those you serve.
Chances are you will be rewarded.
“Charlie Mike”
David
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* “Charlie Mike” – Military jargon for “Continue the Mission.”
What else are you going to do?
Leave A Reply (2 comments so far)
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Carl Hendricks
1790 days ago
Dave makes valid points. All too often we get wrapped up in grandiose ideas while ignoring little things that can make a difference to loved ones, business and yourself. David demonstrates how a simple phone call can have a profound impact.
Barbara
1789 days ago
Reading this story brought it so clear to my mind that I have dropped this same ball, not once or twice, but repeatedly. I got scared of “what will I say if (s)he asks….?” “I don’t know enough yet.”(Ah, but I DO!) “I need someone to walk me through this.” “Oh (s)he probably isn’t home now anyway.” When it comes to the healthcare modalities I offer, I’m excellent at following up, but when it comes to calling prospects for my NWM co. I have dropped the ball way too much. I cannot DO that and expect they will knock down my door to join my team. My new daily statements are: “I am an EXCELLENT follow-upper!” “I am the Mistress of under-promising and over-delivering!” Thank you for this illustration and ‘normalizing’ what I’ve done. I am moving forward now! 8^) Barbara!