Get it done. Period.

Of all the things that have been most surprising in starting a business, I think the lack of interest in earning new business or retaining existing business I’ve experienced from a number of vendors has to take the top spot. It also makes me appreciate vendors, or companies I am a general customer of, who don’t just do the bare minimum, but go above and beyond. In a world of low-touch interactions and poor customer service, any business has an easy shot at standing out from all the rest. I came across this quote recently and was struck how many different ways it applies to being successful in business. It also reminded me of how much I love companies that I work with that I know will just get “it” done. Whatever it is. I know I can trust them to get it done.

“Whatever you are, be a good one.” Abraham Lincoln

• If you are starting out as an assistant, be the best assistant there is. You won’t be an assistant for long.
• If you are in charge of new business, don’t let anything or anyone slip through the cracks or feel like they don’t matter. Trust me, you’ll be at the top of their mind anytime they have to make a decision related to your industry. If they can’t choose you for whatever reason, be it price, timing, etc., they will recommend you to their contacts or network. You won’t be in charge of new business for long, because everyone around you will see how much potential you have to get things done and get them done right. You’ll be in charge of all business, operations, or the company.
• If you are a customer service representative, each customer should feel like once they call you, you will take care of their problems on your side of the fence. People are way too busy, all the time right now. If a customer calls you and says “I have a problem.” When they hang up, they should feel like 1) it’s resolved or 2) you will personally see to it that it is resolved.
• If you are a sales representative, don’t make your clients or customers work to give you business. This should go without saying. If you make them work for you, you won’t be a sales representative long – you won’t have a job or, if you are the only representative, your business may fail. If you work your tail off for them, you won’t be a sales representative long – you’ll be in charges of sales, or the company, soon.

See a pattern?

I strongly encourage you read this article called the $4 Million Complaint Call. In a nutshell, one customer named Bob required an enormous amount of help with a software package, including basic training on how to use the computer itself. While some at the company encouraged the CEO to give up (“We can’t AFFORD to help him – just refund his money and move on”), he didn’t. Six months later, a call came in out of the blue with a new company requesting to standardize their systems on this company’s platform. How did they know they should select this company? Bob was brought on to their team a few months earlier – he said there was no one better to go with.

One final thought: things go wrong. All the time. If something can go wrong, it will. Maybe not now, but sometime soon. Don’t lose yourself. Don’t start cutting down people around you. Just get it done. Be the person that people want to have on their team, as a partner, as an employee, as a boss, or as a friend. People should know that if you’re involved, you are so good, whatever needs to get done, will.

Whatever you are, be a good one. Get things done. Period.

Everything else will fall into place.