I have done something recently that I almost never do. I have had to weasel out of commitments. Networking invites, seminars and business events that I would normally have run towards excitedly have become stressful. My RSVP's are usually concrete determinations of my presence. Lately, they have begun to mean less and less. I missed three last week.
I had an epiphany this week. I am too busy. Not the typical response of an American business owner. The true, bonafide condition of our business. I am swamped and I am not complaining. We are planning. We are hiring, organizing, prioritizing and thoughtfully considering. We are expanding, transitioning and conquering.
This week as I begin my day with gratitude in the form of thank you cards to my customers, I know that we will be able to handle the rush. We will focus on our customers and try not to see every opportunity as a requirement. The great thing about opportunities is that they are optional. Customers, however are not optional for a business. They are a necessity.
We are recognizing that if we cannot be everywhere, we can be where our customers expect us to be. We will be there when we say we will arrive. We will work hard to provide them with a long lasting floor and we will clean up before we leave. We will be accountable for our work. We will recognize that they are our biggest and most important priority.
We have builder's, retailers, homeowners and maintenance companies that trust us to provide them with quality installations and kindness (customer service). These customers are the reason we have survived the recession. They have placed their stamp of approval on our work. They have spread the word and as we move forward, we express our loyalty by not forgetting that we are here because of them.
I've see aprons that say kiss the cook. I think our aprons should read, "Thank your customers!" Maybe we'll get them for our next company barbecue....
I want the highest quality, most professional crew on any job I sell and you guys are the gold standard.
~ @Erik Lindquist of Floor Coverings International.
