Business Advice from My Dad
Sometimes parents do know what they're talking about.
My dad worked in the steel industry for 30 years.
South side of Chicago. Basketball addict. Blue collar through and through.
We usually associate blue collar with grit. But we forget that blue collar also means family, inclusion, relationships, humility.
My dad understood that.
I asked him for advice on Play Street recently about serving my clients. We talked for a while and he said — let me send you what I’d send to our new hires.
This is what he sent:
1. Be yourself.
2. Be a good listener.
3. Do what you say you’re going to do. Follow up. Take responsibility when something goes sideways — don’t blame the shop, the truck, or anyone else.
If you made the promise, make it happen.
4. Be a team player. Appreciate and recognize others. You can take all the blame but make sure you give all the credit.
5. Be persistent without being a pain in the ass.
6. Have a plan. Being busy doesn’t mean you’re doing the right thing. John Wooden said it best — failing to prepare is preparing to fail.
7. Be dedicated to what you’re doing.
8. Become an expert. Know your product so well that people come to you for advice. At that point you’re not just selling — you’re adding value.
9. Always express empathy. You don’t have to agree with someone’s point of view to understand it.
10. Find commonality. What do you have in common with this person? Their birthday, their hobbies, their family. Find it.
11. Get on the floor. You’ll learn more talking to the people doing the work than anyone in the office.
12. Be a problem solver. You’ll have a friend for life.
13. Don’t take it personally. Tough to do sometimes — but don’t.
14. Make the person in front of you feel like the most important person in the world at that moment. You might be the highlight of their day.
15. Help everyone. Even if you don’t have what they need — take the time.
Don’t take shortcuts. Don’t be lazy. He had to remind himself of this too.
16. It’s the simple stuff we screw up. We pay close attention to the complicated orders and no-brain the easy ones. That’s when things go wrong.
17. Lay the groundwork for future relationships. You’re never selling someone one time.
18. It’s all about relationships. That will always be your edge.
And then he ended with this:
“When it’s all said and done, all we have is our reputation. What do you want yours to be”
Thanks Dad.
This advice was written for the steel industry.
It works for every industry.
Especially ours.
