Two recent experiences lead to this blog post. I was on a course several weeks ago and early on the presenter said there was no need to take copious notes because he would be sending out the slides. Three weeks later these have not been received despite me sending a reminder a week ago. It was a good course, but now I have a negative feeling towards the presenter. That would not have happened had he fulfilled that promise or never made it.
Then a few days after that I was at an event where the speaker took questions from the audience. I asked a question and received this response “That is a very good question, unfortunately I do not know the answer. When I get back to the office I will research it and get back to you,” A good speaker and an honest response; however, as he did not follow up I have a negative opinion of him.
It is better to under promise and over deliver.
Imagine how I would have felt if a few days after the course I received an email from the trainer saying “the slides are attached and I have also added some extra material. It covers the points that were raised in the discussions.” And again think how I would have felt if that expert speaker sent me an email saying “I have researched your question and the information in the attachment answers your question and also provides some background details. I also discovered some other information that may interest you, again details are attached.” That would have wowed me and had me recommending the course and suggesting the expert speaker to other people.
It is often not what we say but what we do that creates the biggest impression. A promise to do something for someone is also a promise to yourself. If you are taking a course where you are going to say you will send the materials out afterwards make sure there is time in your diary to do just that. And if you have a speaking engagement make sure there is time in your diary to follow up on any actions. There is no point making a great impression on the day then ruining it later.
I am not religious; however my grandfather was a vicar so I have a reasonable knowledge of the bible and always find useful words in there. Ecclesiastes 9:11 has “that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither bread to the wise nor yet riches to men of understanding…” In that vein I would argue that business does not go to those that talk the best talk, but those that walk the talk and consistently deliver on promises.
Under promise and over deliver, to do otherwise is to disappoint.
Honesty Box
The seed of an idea for these business blogs has to grow and I nurture it until it is ready to harvest, then I prepare it so you can digest it. If you found the content useful please consider popping some money into the honesty box. Unlike buying eggs at the farm gate, you cannot put the cash in a box because you are reading this online. You can click on the Buy Me a Coffee link below which will take you to a page where by magic (nifty software) a small amount of money will disappear from your account and appear in mine. Don’t worry you are in control all the time. If the post wasn’t helpful, please leave a comment suggesting how it can be improved.
If you like what I say you can buy me a coffee if you want to. Pay for two and I can have cake as well. 🙂
==============
Business Thoughts 