Success Takes More Than Hope and Prayers
The inspiration for this article came from a discussion I’d had with consulting client, Tim Wilson, in 2015. Tim is the now retired, former owner of Your Import Car Doctor in Colorado Springs.
You’ve used all the sales tips, marketing techniques and service strategies to land that contract or customer. Competition was stiff, but you came out on top. Ever wonder why YOU got the business instead of that other guy (or gal)? Here’s why.
It’s because you:
- Listened to us
- Seemed sincerely interested in the struggles we face
- Knew you couldn’t help us and referred us to someone you trusted
- Came prepared to meet with me
- Were clear up front exactly why you wanted to me (and didn’t waste my time)
- Are someone I trust
- Brought examples of your work
- Quantified the outcomes
- Spoke well of your competitors
- Have a good reputation in town
- Didn’t rush me
- Knew my name and used it
- Were willing to work with my team — even those from competing companies
- Offered us options to consider
- Came in the door with a smile on your face
- Gave me your personal cell phone number
- Sent business our way in the past
- Worked with me when I had to delay a payment
- Referred good job candidates
- Were respectful to our employees
- Told us the truth — even things we didn’t want to hear
- Asked for the business
- Thanked me for previous work I’d sent your way
- Care about us as people
- Were patient with us when we made a mistake
- Apologized when you made the mistake
- Didn’t relegate us to your “B” Team
- Charged a fair price
- Followed up when you said you would
- Used our time efficiently
- Were open to co-creating
- Took initiative
- Stayed on top of things
- Came up with creative ideas that didn’t cost us too much money
- Explained the pros and cons of taking one action over another
- Returned our phone calls quickly
- Were flexible
- Thought ahead and spotted the gaps, potential problems and a better course of action
- Have staying power — you’ve been in business a while
- Regularly asked me about my family and personal interests
- Share the same values
- Didn’t try to sell us something we really didn’t need
- Understood our business and how we define success
- And finally, because of who you are as a person
NOTE: An expanded discussion on the 44 Reasons above will be featured in my forthcoming Guidebook for budding entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Why You’re Unique in Today’s Business Environment
You are not a commodity. You offer depth, compassion, knowledge and experience. There are things you do for your clients, customers and colleagues that others don’t. You have worked hard to build a solid reputation as someone they can count on. They come to you because they know you won’t treat them like a number. You stand out because you take the time to build the relationship, establish authority in your field and are gracious when disappointments occur.
Basically, you’re a class act!
The Flaws of Relying on AI
“You’ve seen the MIT study. 95% of corporate AI initiatives FAIL…
I got the product launched. It worked. I was proud of what I’d created. Then came the moment that validated every concern in that MIT Study: I needed to make a small change and realized I wasn’t confident I could do it. My own product, built under my direction, and I’d lost confidence in my ability to modify it.” —Josh Anderson, The Leadership Lighthouse on Substack
What I’m Reading Now
The Original Constitution: The Historical Meaning of America’s Supreme Law by Robert G. Natelson
“Robert Natelson is one of the nation’s top constitutional scholars. His published research has been cited repeatedly by U.S. Supreme Court justices and by state supreme courts. Formerly a professor of Constitutional Law and Constitutional History at the University of Montana, he is currently Senior Fellow in Constitutional Jurisprudence at the Independence Institute in Denver.”
Doug and I heard Robert Natelson speak at a lecture held at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs (UCCS), sponsored by AIER. The American Institute for Economic Research “educates people on the value of personal freedom, free enterprise, property rights, limited government and sound money.”
Learn more about Rob at: https://robnatelson.com/about-rob-natelson/
And check out his Constitutional Nuggets: https://robnatelson.com/constitutional-nuggets/
A Movie We’ll See This Week: The Story of Everything
The Science that reveals a mind behind the universe
The Story of Everything is a cinematic exploration of the cosmos that reveals the hidden hand behind our universe. From the precise laws that govern the stars to the intricate patterns found in every living cell, the film traces evidence of intentional design throughout nature. Whether examining distant star-forming clouds or the spiral structure of DNA, we discover a consistent signature woven into the fabric of existence.
In theaters only now. Read more at: https://www.thestoryofeverything.film/
Bio: Laura Lollar is owner of Communicate Colorado, a Veteran-owned consulting firm that supports small businesses and solopreneurs. Since 1997, she has consulted, trained and spoken throughout Colorado, the U.S., Canada, Germany and Great Britain on communication, marketing and customer service. She is an American author, writer, USAF Veteran, happy wife, mom and wildfire survivor. Visit her at LauraLollar.com and her humor site at CabinMama.com