I have spent the last week working with my team on various systems we are implementing for our clients. The process is rigorous yet fulfilling. I enjoy it greatly because it embodies what our culture and message is about – passion.
We always believe there is an answer to problems. When we try daring things, we inherently will face a proportional amount of problems. We say, bring it on. Each solved problem separates us from our competition. It is what the same mentality Thomas Edison had when answering a person who wondered if he was frustrated about a thousand failed light bulb experiments.
He answered, “No. Now I know 999 ways it doesn’t work.”
We like to revel in success. My observation of people through hours of business coaching is that they see success in a disproportional manner. In reality, success is the signal which arose from the noise of failures. When we see something work, it is the natural frequency resulting from taking the path to success. Yet, one broken step in the chain can easily distort the result. So it goes with all of our attempts. We must adhere to a pathway towards the results we want and understand that failure is part of that pathway.
I wanted to share how we design and build the systems our clients enjoy to grow their business through the lens of this reality. There are four key aspects:
1. Craftsmanship: Our team sees business and technology as an art form. When others merely see a tool, we see an opportunity and we hewn it to create an experience for the customer. Combine multiple pieces of software, selling methodologies, marketing approaches, psychology and instinct with talent and you have the makings of an expression of excellence. We take great pride in creating the ultimate customer experience. It is our relentless pursuit. What is yours?
2. Winning: There is much collaboration and a stick-to-it mentality. We want to win. Without this at our core, we would create sterile and merely functional results. In your own business are you just going through the motions, or are you tied into what it means to win?
3. Credibility: We drink our own Kool-Aid. Think about Google. They use what they develop as a company. If you are a sales person have you thought about teaching how you sell? Do you use the products you promote or work on? Getting to 85% on most things is easy. That last 10% takes all the energy and passion. It is what separates great brands like Patagonia and Apple. Their employees are avid consumers of what they sell. Do you use what you sell or work on? If not, then you will miss the refining aspects between good enough and excellent.
4. Systematic Thinking: One of our client engagements involves several microsites, CRM’s, multiple SAS applications and an abundance of technical writing and sales methodology. We get to an end result through thinking and working systematically. There is a balance of freedom in form and leadership through form. Building systems for growing businesses requires both linear and creative thinking processes. Can you think in terms of steps and outcomes? It is critical for building scalable systems.
I like to think of ourselves as player-coaches. We spend hours working with business professionals to strategize towards objectives and challenge blind spots. However, we cannot give what we do not possess. Much of our learning process comes from paying the brain bill and working hard at the things we teach. In your own pursuits, ensure that you practice much more than you play. As a tree can only grow as deep as its roots, so we all are limited by the development we have. Ours happens to be building the systems which grow businesses. May your own work be an expression of your passion as well.