There is a French expression that says: “Le client est Roi”, the customer is God.
If indeed this is true, then the business owner is the king’s servant and all his employees the serfs; but, let us not exaggerate things. What we know is that the customer has the final word. She votes early and often with her dollars and pity the business that does not get it.

Now, you would think by now, most of us actually get it. A couple of days ago I got a call from my local dealership where I had ordered a part for my car. I was instructed to pay for the item to ensure delivery and confirmation of the part’s arrival was to happen via email. And so it went. I reported to the dealership the next day all happy and ready to get my merchandise. Unfortunately it was not to be as the clerk at the window rudely told me: You already picked it up. To which I politely replied no. He then became very dismissive and went as far telling me: you actually believe you’ll get two for one don’t you?

Imagine that for a second. Though the situation was quickly resolved once I demanded to speak to the service department manager, imagine for a minute that this fellow was actually smooth enough to simply say: “Hang on a second, let me double check”. I will posit that he would have spoken to his manager or someone, gotten instructions on what to do, and returned with a solution that will guarantee a future purchase.

Businesses die or live, depending on what the team does or does not. A smile, a simple hello, a seat offered, a glass of water while someone waits, a follow up call, an occasional apology etc…becomes the magic touch that makes your customers sing your praises all over town. Like my mother used to say: Kill them with kindness.

Celebrate small victories today and you will look like a genius tomorrow.

There is a lot we can say about successful businesses.  Some of the stuff of legends. They seem to always strike the right note, they seem to always achieve their numbers, and manage to deliver products and or services that leave the public in awe. These kinds of achievements however, are not the resort of some giant corporations only.

You too can achieve the same if you understand what drives the results within such organizations.

Watch this video and maybe, just maybe you’ll see what I mean…

It was not long ago things were all lined up for you. You had a vision, a plan and actually excited about getting on with your own enterprise. So what is happening now? What is it that’s holding you back from getting to the next level?

I recently ran into a former colleague and we started to talk about the good old days. Somehow the conversation turned and he mentioned that knowing everything he knows now, he wouldn’t have done it the same way. To which I answered: you are right. You see, before taking the leap forward, you need to understand that there is a difference between what it is you want to do and how it is actually going to happen. Basically, you need to understand and manage the transition.

Many have jobs and or other occupations prior to becoming business owners. Jobs that pay bills and take care of the family. When time comes to launch and operate their own business, quite obviously they must disconnect from these other occupations and focus on the business of running “the business”. Unfortunately, this is done without taking into consideration both the fiscal and psychological ramifications of such a separation. You have the obligation to cover all the basis here. Nothing should be left to chances. One must not vacillate about where they stand. You are either in totally,  or not.

It is during the transition that you need to figure out how you are going to continue meeting your expenses, taking care of the family, and allocate time to the business. It is during the transition that people who shall be part of the effort are identified, and it is during this same period that a definitive decision on where one’s mind is, is cemented.  It is here that a determination about whether you are committed to or interested in the business is made.

So, what is holding you back? are you  in? Are you somehow still connected to that previous position that it is robbing you of the focus you need to apply to your new venture? Or, are you timidly taking on the duties of running your business without the devotion that is required to make you a success. Whichever camp you find yourself in, just know this: You need to get back to “why” that drove you to this point. Asked yourself again why you are doing “this business”