Trust through a Wealth of Relationships

I found myself sitting in a room of folks listening to them talk about the number of projects they cranked out since the first of the year. Some of these groups had completed a lot more than others. They spoke of bottom-line numbers and then rewarded themselves for meeting a number. Good for them… I suppose.

http://ipma.ch/2013/ipma-award-winners-2013/

As I silently left the conversation I started to compare their projects with our team’s. It was cut and dry, we run our business  completely differently and have completely different results; We do more than hit our numbers, we duplicate excellence, and always plan past the objective. We do this by taking an entrepreneurial approach to everything we touch.

To quote the Savannah based law firm of Bart Meyer & Company, “We Build Trust through a Wealth of Relationships.”

The number one resource you have is People; trust them, build them up, and treat them well.

Here are a few steps we take in the successful management of our projects:

1. We take ownership and full responsibility of our projects.
2. We find what is working right and duplicate it, no matter how simple or silly it may be.
3. We ask lots of questions in the planning process. Our philosophy is that a well planned project is about 60% complete.
4. We don’t make Elephants climb trees. We ask what our vendors can do, share our vision of the project, lay out all the requirements, and ask again if they can meet the criteria. If they cannot, we ask how we can help them.
5. We see our vendors as PEOPLE first. They, like us, have kids and colds and homework. They have families, marriages, funerals; some are fighting cancer others helping elderly parents. Some days are good and others have plenty of opportunity for improvement. Our team is no different.
6. Our team knows a lot but our vendors know more. …so we ask more questions

These are only but a few steps that have been the secret to our success. Success will breed success. Share information with your vendors. Help them succeed even outside of your business. Recommend them to your neighbor,  the car dealer, plumber, accountant. You will win every time.

Question: How have strong relationships helped you win in business? Personally and Professionally.

It really is all about you…

Seth Godin has written a series of great posts over the last week that, should you be among the minority not getting his stuff, please allow me the honor to share!

This mornings post…

Actually, they’re not yours

When you say, “my customers,” or, “my readers,” you’re using a shorthand, but you’re also making a mistake.

We’re not yours.

We’re ours.

 

What are the questions you asking your customers, suppliers, friends, and family?

Go build them an enterprise… 

Go ask the questions that help them…

Standards should be more like gravity — The Law!

Standards should be more like gravity — The Law!

Few things say, “I have standards,” like something acted upon. Perhaps I am biased, or maybe brain washed, by serving in the US Army; however, I can tell when something has been cleaned and something is simply brushed over.

I’d rather pay a little more in time and in money to support establishments and engage clients and customers who exhibit this simple but fading trait called- Standards.

Live the Life you intend to lead

A Reading for Dad

My dad has over 2000 books right now in his house! He has read all of them and many more than one time. He has books from every genre; some prints from the 1890’s and others published this year. Books on astronomy to books on world zoos; Need a book on Wine, got it; Soviet Government or on the life of Napoleon, got it! What about a book on knots or survival methods of the British SAS; YES!

Hugh Howell III – Ham Radio Operator Meeting

His favorites are the Stories of Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson of the English Royal Navy— Naval Warfare on the Open Seas and Races of Sterling Moss.

Though the thought of selling books start to cause hives,  the used book auction he could have would make him tons off of first editions and whole collections, rare authors, classics, etc… I saw him sell 5 books for 5 Ben Franklins once. His collections seem to always be in motion; sellers buying, adding to, letting others borrow… it never really stops.

Today, if you walked in to the Howell House, you would find the Patriarch doing two things:

1. Reading a book
2. Watching soccer

Rarely looking up for anything else, and now days, giving both equal measure of time.

I might have heard the saying, “Leaders Read” at the age of eight; if that was really the case, then at age eight, I knew my father knew everything there was to know.

Hugh Howell Sr. Atlanta History Center, Original of file (circa 1929)

My dad was born at the close of World War II. He is the grandson of the late Hugh H. Howell Sr. to whom Hugh Howell Road is named. I learned that my dad was an Army-Brat growing up; seems that watching French TV is great…if you know French… thus his love of reading.

He is, without a doubt, a Baby-Boomer. He and his bride are doing well spending the inheritance of his 3 kids, 5 grand kids (as he should be… well… maybe)  by traveling on cruises to the islands and buying expensive Porto and Caribbean Rum. And in a few short hours, Pops will celebrate his 67th birthday.

The well traveled and well read leader of this branch of the Howell Clan will be at home, enjoying a Sunday afternoon, at The Howell House.

We should all so lucky to have a dad who loves to read; whose name is so associated with ‘Books,’ ‘Books,’ and more, ‘BOOKS!’

Yes, Leaders do read… a lot!

…but no, his present is not another book!! (or a 21 year old Scottish beverage) (shhh!)

Question: What leadership attribute are you choosing to leave? 

Dear Boss, You failed us.

Note to the Boss: That project your said was important is now done. Daily work suffered and some work was taken home; sacrifices were made but the product looks good, is usable, exceeds all criteria, and provides insight we did not have before. You knew our plate was already full… after all busy folks get things done!

We, your “team,” however, are appalled at your 2-second-Thank-you for a 2 week project that makes you look great and puts us behind! Please have the respect to acknowledge this project took a lot of time to complete. Let us know we did well. We, those in the trenches carry you, and you forgot about us. Hope you enjoy the bonus.

*****

Leaders, write yourself a letter and post it. Write the letter you never want to see your folks write to you. In the valley of motivation, read it. Let it invigorate you to stop, get out from behind your desk, and serve your people. It’s not about being right all the time, it’s about serving. Empower your team to fail and to achieve. Then praise them for their work!

Question: What is the worse thing your folks could say about you? Would they be right? …but would if matter? Would you reward for letter from your team letting you know of a short coming?