I recently spoke with the head of an up and coming marketing company. After a few minutes, I could see why they were "up and coming."
He was expressing his enthusiasm for a new client and he said how much it meant to them to have this opportunity because they took it personally that they had this account.
Today, we are taught that business is business, nothing personal. Most of us buy into that. It lets us off the hook--no extra effort, no working past closing time, no thinking of the client on the weekend, etc. The only problem with that is the great businesses do take it personally.They find the joy in the extra effort, the personal touches, the late-night email to the client with an idea, etc.
Whether we want to face it or not, business is something to take personally...if we want to experience the success and the joy.
Barry LaBov
LaBov & Beyond
www.labov.com
Originally posted 03/26/10
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You're right - I think this is what separates good companies from great ones. Everyone deserves a break and some time away from the office, but a simple email or a personal touch in correspondences with customers is all it takes to make the extra effort. These little gestures go a long way, especially in the business world where many companies are so task-oriented. I urge employees at my Fort Wayne company to make our clients feel like real people - or as you put it, to take their jobs personally. I'm not in the marketing communications industry like LaBov & Beyond, but I think this rule applies no matter what field you're in. Would you agree with this, Barry?
ReplyDeleteJames, whether you're in Fort Wayne, IN or Scottsdale or L.A., great business performance is personal It doesn't have to be marketing communications or training or manufacturing, to the great firms it is a personal thing--thanks!
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