Entrepreneur minds...Referrals

As a director of a competitive business, I must say we thrive on referrals. Which business does not love referrals? But you can't get the benefit of referrals if you don't give the present job/project impeccable service regardless of the scope of the project/business.

Image: Seoclerks

Most times we tend to wait on the 'big projects' to show our creativity, customer service skills, and attention to detail in the projects we manage. But that is where we as entrepreneurs get it wrong. Treat every job with the best form of expertise delivering more than the customers expectations and then those referrals will become more frequent.

I paid for a job 2 weeks ago and the company exceeded my expectation. Delivery time spot on! Communication was excellent! Attention to detail was fantastic and packaging was wow! I had people come over and everyone commented on the quality of the job. I rang up the company and gave them positive feedback  stating how impressed I was. I don't have time to write reviews but on this occasion without any form of coercion, I went on the intermediary site and left a positive feedback. That's not the end of the story as last Tuesday, I ordered more customized items from them. What do we have here? A repeat customer which is what every entrepreneur wants...

So entrepreneur..... don't look at the size of the project! Build a reputation of excellence and watch the referrals consistently increase!

On replay...

Lessons from the 'Tulips'

On Friday as I got to work, I saw these on my desk....

To be fair, I did not get excited, I felt really indifferent but at the back of my mind, I felt more like 'too little too late'. Don't get me wrong I enjoy the job I do at the moment and its in line with my plans for the future so I see it as a preparatory stage but the major challenge is that I have set myself a timeline for different events and due to that, I no longer get the maximum fulfillment from work(over ambition issues). However when I get into work, regardless of how I feel, I give  the job I do my absolute best or better put I try to do everything at work with the right attitude ensuring that my output is excellent...

Lesson 1. Regardless of how you feel, if you are employed to do a job, give it your best. People are watching but let the work you do, not be based on that. You are developing yourself, improving your skill & building a reputation all at the same time and if you are resilient, 'pay day' will come sooner than expected.... bigger than imagined....


Now I had to rush to go see a friend in hospital who was undergoing a major surgery. I had to drive 44 Miles to & fro but the Friday rush hour traffic made it seem like a 100 Miles. By the time I got back I had to get on the phone to get feedback from a very important meeting that took place earlier in the day and which I wasn't able to attend. At the end of the phone call, I was beyond knackered but as I looked at where I had dumped by work laptop and other items, I noticed the tulips but just wanted to ignore it as the sight looked like it had been through a lot just like its owner hahaha. I thought to myself its just dead after the way I handled it all through the day but on a 2nd thought, I just put it in a glass of water and by the time I woke up the next morning it looked like this......

Lesson 2: Given the right environment/opportunity, everyone has the potential to bloom so don't be quick to give up on people.....

Lesson 3: Beyond what the present looks like, never lose hope. Keep your hope alive.... The tulips looked like they had seen better days but I just added water to fulfill all righteousness and what a beauty that singular act brought about. So keep hope alive, keep dreaming, keep tweaking the plan and in due time you will reap a reward or the satisfaction of knowing that you gave life your best....

Hope everyone has a fab week.

Have any experiences to share? please feel free to comment.

xx

Entrepreneur minds...

I was advising a business executive few months ago who was planning to take some drastic decisions which would result to several individuals having their jobs terminated, job description changed for others and certain privileges stripped from a majority of staff. For individuals who know me, they describe me as benevolent but when it comes to business, I don't do sentiments. However I am very strategic with the decisions I implement. Timing is key! I advised them to go about it in a different way. My measures were actually more shrewd but it was wrapped in compassion before the final bombshell was released. I believe compassion always brings result especially for staff who have a mind to work. Strict measures were put in place, compassion was shown to individuals deserving of it and business is flourishing. Now that the ground has been set, I advised more compassion and benefits be introduced and as a result, the entire atmosphere in the business changed dramatically. The drive, passion and commitment of the workforce has skyrocketed and that business as I write is on the right path to  sustainable success. The key word is Sustainable! 

Humility

"He has told you, O man, what is good;
    and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,[a]
    and to walk humbly with your God?"
Micah 6: 8





Humility is indeed the foundation of all virtues... When I describe an individual and I add humility, then the individual has really made a lasting impression on me.

Can you be described as humble?....

On replay...

Indeed the Lord is good...

Friday delivery...Providence

      

As I got home, I saw a delivery waiting for me from TBN by one of my favourite men Jentezen Franklin. I am not big on new year resolutions, I however have personal targets which I continuously tweak as I pray for Gods leading and get direction. January is however a big month as I engage in various spiritual exercises fasting being  a major. This year my main prayer was for God's leading as I committed my numerous plans to God and effortlessly, He has been showing me that He's in control. This book is another indication that when I ask God for direction He sends the answer in various ways.

If you need direction from God, just ask and trust me He will direct your path... 

Do the Pretty Girl Rock!

I just opened my email to a congratulatory message from one of my friends and because he is a bit 'extra' hahaha he included this which I really like..... Have a fab Friday guys xx

Be reminded...

Few days ago, a friend called me who knows a bit of the several things going on in my life and he says " Elly I just thought of you and I felt the need to encourage you and just to let you know that I am so proud of you. With everything you have going on, all that you have to do and everything you struggle with, you just find a way to put it all together and still help others in-spite of your personal struggles and your own needs. Well done girl"

At the point when his call came through, I wasn't expecting him to say all of that but in all honesty, there has been a lot going on lately and I am thankful to God for grace and strength. Everyone you see is indeed going through challenging situations in life, that is why it is really disgraceful to envy others or talk down on them because you will never know the entire detail.... However I felt God just used him to drop those words at that particular time....

Yesterday, I needed help with verifying some reviews about some research centers and as I got feedback about some of them about 4.30am yesterday morning, the message that followed was "Everything will be fine"...... You ask me how God speaks, these are 2 of the many ways I have heard Him speak to me recently because after these, the feeling of being overwhelmed was lifted and I just felt Gods peace.

Regardless of what you are going through, remember that "everything will be fine" and if you doubt it, take a look at how far you have come!