Are you successful?
What determines your success?
Do you have lots of money?
Are you generally happy but cashless?
Is it your business that’s successful?
I’m currently reviewing both personal and business success, because the business I work for is growing and doing very well.
I’m snowed with work, and don’t have enough time for myself at the moment, but I’m really not bothered.
Why?
Because quite honestly, I absolutely love what I do, and who I do it for.
Success doesn’t have to mean I have lots of money. For me, it means being generally happy in what I’m doing all day, every day.
The business is successful in my mind for a number of reasons.
Firstly, a good mindset.
Too many companies are out to simply get as many customers as possible, make as much as possible, and grow to huge sizes and values.
That’s not how we’re rolling.
We have a small team of people, focused on what we do and doing it well.
Each one of us – very importantly – genuinely enjoys what we do. This is a great start.
As I’ve always said throughout my career, “If you don’t like it, don’t do it”.
I’ve tried to stick by that, and it’s helped me stay as happy as I believe possible for most of the time.
In addition to liking what we do, we’re good at it.
There’s nothing wrong with floating your own boat a little and feeling positive about it.
Essentially, each member of the company has a lot of experience in their bit.
Mine, is treating people well, talking to people in the right way, knowing a bit about what I’m talking about, and showing passion in my work.
It’s not a skill in the traditional sense, but it’s not something you can just do, without experience, belief, passion and knowledge.
And I’m good at it!
We all (in the business) love the industry we are involved with. (Audio Visual)
It’s exciting, full of incredible products and solutions, and as an industry, very friendly. (Mostly)
We’re currently in the right place at the right time. Businesses are crying out for help with meeting room AV setups. Specifically for VC (video conferencing) solutions that allow them to hold meetings quickly, easily and cost effectively.
How do we handle these?
Quite simply…
Nicely.
When a client comes to us, we speak to them like human beings. We don’t patronise because they’re not clued up like we are. Why should they be? They’re experts in their field, not ours.
We make sure our focus is on getting to know that individual a bit better, opening a “smart casual” style of formality, and learning how their business operates and what they need to get out of our discussions.
We do not for one minute, overload them with technical speak, jargon and scary stuff, then slap a huge quote in front of them and tell them they have to spend all this money.
If we think it’s a relatively simple setup that doesn’t need to cost the earth, we’ll tell them.
Likewise, if what they’re asking for is not going to be cheap, we’ll tell them that too.
Sometimes it’s best to be upfront and advise if their budget is not going to give them what they’re asking for.
By the way. On that point. If there is ANY way we can make it happen within the limitations, we will. Because we don’t slap on ridiculous margins.
(I recently learned of an industry that slams between 100% - 140% onto their costs for the clients)
We know that if we do the right job, do it well, treat our clients with respect, talk to them nicely and help them with every little detail, they will do at least one of the following two things.
1. Come back to us if they need anything else.
2. Recommend us to at least one other person/business.
Repeat business is important and can be the difference between surviving vs growing.
Recommended business is absolutely critical. Wouldn’t you rather spend money on a company that you’ve been told does a good job and knows what they’re doing?
You can search for what you’re trying to achieve, and most likely find numerous people that can help.
I think most people would want to employ a company that has been recommended and can prove what they’re doing is working.
Another reason we are increasing our success is that we are very flexible. Too many businesses (especially when they become too big) are stuck behind a load of red tape, forcing you down a route that might not be the best way forward.
They decide they love a particular brand for something, then stick to it and don’t allow themselves or the client, the flexibility of choice.
Whilst we have certain preferences on some elements, we don’t eliminate others. We are always talking within the industry, making sure we know of the options out there, and making sure we have the varied products that will work across different setups, requirements and budgets. And this doesn’t just apply to the kit you can see and touch. Also, to the bits that are hidden away and you probably don’t know exist.
That brings me to another point.
In the world of AV (and I’m sure many other industries), there are lots of elements that make things work, that the client doesn’t see and probably never will. Once they’re in place, that’s it. They’re doing their part quietly and discreetly.
A lot of places send out a quote that bundles/hides things away and doesn’t explain to the client, exactly what they’re paying for.
A quote from us, lines out every single item. (Within reason. We don’t name every screw and fixing to be fair)
But anything that is doing more than just sticking something together, gets its own line. A nice image, a description and its own price.
The customer can literally see everything that they’re spending their money on. They can see what it looks like, they understand what it’s doing (hopefully) and they know exactly how much that piece is.
I genuinely believe this is quite a major part of how we win a lot of our clients over.
Complete transparency.
It all goes back to being open, honest, and of course, nice!
Success is about how you treat people.
Be good, and you’ll probably do ok.
And that’s kind of all that matters really.
Enjoy it, make the most of what you do, keep going, keep trying new things, and hopefully you’ll be as happy as you can be.
On that note – If you ever need to learn more about our industry – don’t be shy. Let me know and I’ll happily talk you through anything at all.
It’s what I do best. And did you get that I love it?
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