Broken Promises Are Costly

I am writing this as I am waiting for yet another Facebook user to turn-up, they are already 2 hours late, what do you think are the chances of them actually turning up?

Do you not find it annoying that you enter into an agreement for a sale, they know the address and agree a time, and then nothing! You thought they meant what they said, you were there waiting, they ignored your messages so what’s the issue?

I fear this is starting to become the norm and the outcome is lack of trust, frustration, annoyance and tarring everyone with the same brush, which quite frankly is unfair to the majority. Obviously, we all can have an emergency that delays our plans, but a simple message to say so is not so unfair to expect, is it?

So this got me thinking about my standards and have I ever let anyone down? The answer is yes because, believe it or not, I am no saint but I have always tried to keep people informed so they are not left there hanging around waiting.

But why would someone have this attitude? that what they are doing is so much more important than you? implying that you have no relevance as their time is more valuable than yours. Where is the benefit to this attitude as, quite frankly, I cannot see it and for sure and if we treated our customers they same as some do to us, then we would certainly not have a business to be proud of.

The obvious question is then “What can we do about it?”

The answer is be consistent with our own standards, be reliable and dependable, if you make a promise to your customer or supplier then deliver on that promise even if it costs you time and money. Be able to look at yourself in the mirror with confidence.

Is this a good investment for you? YES IT IS, why? When someone wants to buy something they go to the people they trust, if it is a new customer, they remember and come back, if it is a supplier then they go the extra mile to support you in your time of need.

The end result is happy customers, willing pay for products and services, suppliers more helpful and your cash flows, which is the life blood of your business.

So next time you feel let down, think back as to when you may have let someone down, do not let frustration lead you down a rabbit hole of retribution, just move on to your next task as you will do that better without the black cloud that may dominate your thoughts after feeling let down.

Like my grandmother used to say, “Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself”!