One on One

It only takes one person within your organization to make a difference.  Whether good or bad, that one person can impact your company in ways you never imagined.  This person is the face of your business.  They are the image portrayed that others think about how your organization is run.  This one person is your boss, subordinates, front line and warehouse people, customer service, sales people and truck drivers, and yes, it’s you.  You personally make the difference in how your company is perceived as a business within your industry and community.

One person can take a company into bankruptcy, close its doors, set sales records, make customers feel welcomed, etc.  Just ask the folks that trusted Bernie Madoff.  He affected thousands of people with their retirement plans and financial wealth, through his Ponzi scheme.  But not only people make up the success and failure of companies, so can the products they sell.  Heck, green onions put Chi Chi’s out of business with an outbreak of Hepatitis A and several deaths.  So you see, what you do can make or break your company’s future.

Last month, I was watching the new show on CBS, Undercover Boss.  There was an episode on that really showed how one person can impact a business.  It was when 7-Eleven CEO, Joe DePinto visited a location in New York.  This location sells more coffee than any other location within the system.  Mr. DePinto realized during his visit that it was not about the coffee or location, it was about Dolores, the lady in charge of the coffee at this location.  She literally knew everyone that came in the store.  She greeted each and every one of them by name, as they came to her area of the store.  Mr. DePinto realized that it’s the people that make the difference.  One person can make the difference between being the best in your business or just being average.  

The world’s population is heading towards 6 billion in the next few years.  The U.S. represents about 305 Million of that number.  According to the U.S. Government, small business makes up 99.7% of the companies in the U.S. that employee us and employee over 50% of the workforce.  If you don’t think you are the face of your company, you’re wrong.  Look at today’s unemployment rate.  It is hanging around 10%.  My point here is that there are many folks who would love to be the face of a company.  With outsourcing, you’re competing against billions of folks.  But currently you are the face of your company.  Cherish it, be proud and make your company proud of you.

When you go to work tomorrow or later this week, think about what you can do to make your business better.  Is it the way you answer the phone?  Kim has a little trick that I like to hear.  She answers the phone, Hi this is Kim, I can help you!  Pretty neat huh?  I’ve always said “How may I help you?”  But changing from How may to I can is a big difference.  Is it the way you dress?  Dressing appropriately and professionally no matter what business you are in, makes a difference.  The way you smile?  What about the gossiping?  No need for it in business.  Don’t participate.  There are many other things that you can do to make your company better.  Just remember that you truly are the face of your company and always be thinking, what you are doing can impact your company and its customers.

Great Selling!

Mike Popella

Mike Popella