Once again promotional products expert Eric Marasco and Robby Slaughter author of Failure: The Secret to Success and owner of Slaughter Development added another stop in Indianapolis Indiana for the Espresso To Go Show. Usually they discuss marketing, productivity, and anything else that comes to mind and in this show they discuss the “Thank You.
If you missed our first discuss on thank you Check it out. Can You Please Just Say Thank You!
We All Make Mistakes
I remember years ago I thought I was pretty close to perfect – yep, I admit it, I had been in positions that I was the shining star and could do no wrong – at least not as much wrong as those surrounding me, so I had the warped perception that I was so right all the time – boy, was I wrong!
Even when we are right, it may not make the situation better by being so – I will always remember a great quote by Jim Zarvos – “do you want to be right or do you want your relationships to work” – very deep if you really think about it.
But let’s say we are wrong – we made the mistake. It’s how we handle it when we do make mistakes that sets us apart from the crowd. Here are a few steps to help make the situation better:
1. Deliver a swift response – don’t try to hide from it and hope they won’t notice or that it will just go away
2. Show humility and empathy for what the customer is experiencing
3. Accept your role of accountability
4. Provide an honest explanation of what happened
5. Make it right – or at least offer a solution and mend the relationship
If we would all take these five steps, not only will our business relationships be better, but all of our relationships will be better.
Guest Post from Serina Kelly, Owner of Relevate, specializing in helping businesses build relationships with their past, current and future clientele through consistent and useful media.
A Strategic Fan
Every night when we lay our son down to go to sleep we turn on a small fan in his room to help “deaden” the sound from the rest of the house. The other day I noticed something pretty interesting. The fan was serving more of a purpose than I originally realized. There are two applications we can make from the power of a small fan…
We’ve all heard the clichés, “Who’s the wind in your sail?” or “Who’s your biggest fan?” But I think these applications take them to a new level.
In our son’s room we use the fan to “drown” out the silence and occasional ambient noise in his room so he can go to sleep. The fan creates just enough of a “hum” that outside noises don’t bother him when he’s trying to go to sleep.
We need our “fans” in life when we are trying to change our state of being. Often, we set out to do something but in the silence we start talking to ourselves and self doubt begins to creep in. If we have a “fan” even a small one, they can help us stay on track to get us where we want to be.
How do you get a fan? Start telling people in your life what you want to accomplish and LET them hold you accountable. Let their voice drown out yours when you want to quit and give up. Let them be your fan…
There is another application from the small fan… The small fan was on the floor pointed to the ceiling. This fan pointed in the right direction was able to power the much larger ceiling fan. When I walked in the room, I noticed the ceiling fan going around without electricity. So a fan, pointed in the right direction can help you power your dreams. A ceiling fan is meant to stir the air and it is useless when it is turned off, but the help of a small fan, the ceiling fan was able to fulfill its purpose.
The same applies to us. We were meant for things greater than we believe possible, but without a strategically placed fan our goals and purpose are much harder to accomplish.
Who is your fan? Are they strategically placed? A fan pointed at the ground will not help the ceiling fan, just as a fan that doesn’t believe in your mission will not be useful for anything except pushing you down…
Line in the Sand Consulting is ready to be your fan! We’ll help you believe in yourself and your dreams.
Guest Post from Donn Koonce with Line In The Sand Consulting. When he stood on the scale at over 300lbs he knew in that moment something had to change. His company helps people take control and have accountability to achieve results. You can check out his blog at http://www.lineinthesandconsulting.com.
If you have been thinking about starting a business or have been in business, Serina Kelly with Relevate discusses 5 key lessons learned in owning her business over the last two years. One of the key points that I have found in owning my business for the past six years is my business plan is ever changing. Serina says…
“Your business plan will evolve. I started as a virtual assistance business and rebranded less than a year ago. Best decision I’ve made! Don’t be afraid to peek or venture down a similar but different road to see how those ideas can be incorporated into your current model.”
Check out the full article and learn the other 4 lessons!
You can find more information about Serina and her business at www.getrelevate.com.
Robby Slaughter’s, www.slaughterdevelopment.com , second visit to the Espresso To Go Show.
Proforma Distinctive Marketing 