If You’re Gone I think I’ve Already Lost You
I wrote this article, inspired by a song, that to me relates to ‘excessive' success and it's way of covering up an avalanche of problems.The kind that cash flow seems to keep at bay, until some hungry competitor silently removes the flow.
Have you ever felt it in your gut you’re inches from losing a client you worked so hard to obtain? You knew it when that delivery was late. You had it reinforced when you retrieved your voice mail asking when they could expect to see a return on their investment. You became depressed when you bought lunch and received a ho-hum response. Hey – it wasn’t your fault nobody back at the office would listen to your issues.
Want me to read this to you?
There’s an awful lot of Breathing Room but I can Hardly Breathe
As we all know, a multitude of sins can be covered up by current success. Great success can breed even bigger failures. Having more new customers and bulging revenue, to the point that you view a 30% loss of the customers you gained last year, as a problem that can be fixed later means you’re about to be gone; replaced by the employee that left you to outperform you or the boutique firm that just raised a pot of venture capital money. You know what’s coming and you can hardly breathe from the pressure.
I think I’m Finally Scared Now
When the nerves become frazzled, it’s too late to worry about the impending loss. When you’re finally scared that the loss is going to have a negative impact on your bank account, it’s too late to worry about the impending loss. When you’re scared to handle the problem face-to-face, 
it’s too late to worry about the impending loss. When you fear facing your boss more than supporting your customer, it’s too late to worry about the impending loss.
I Know it’s wrong, it’s a Problem I’m Dealing With
Almost all of us remember how good we were when we were hungry, making a name for ourselves, going after that contest or seeking the recognition we deserved. The problem with losing customers seems to come later when we are supposedly polished. Most problems are our own. Some like to read great business publications to seek inspiration and find the solutions to our problems. There isn’t a better time to fix your nurture and follow-up miscues and forgetfulness like the present.
There’s a Little Bit of Something Me in Everything in You
The great ones are consistent, persistent and insistent. You’ve got what it takes and you know it. Light that fire of enthusiasm that fed your former hunger. Always keep a little bit of your customers’ needs, in you, and never ever take for granted they chose to do business with you or that they are coming back for more just because they always have. Put the same or more into those who feed your lifestyle as those you hope to gain.
If You’re gone Maybe it’s Time to Come Home
You thought this place was your empire, and it was. But you relaxed and can’t be sure. Brush off the dust and face your problems and those who you rely on like they are your own. Follow your passion, live the vision, work the dream and inspire those who aim to follow you. Live life and enjoy the view you earned. Nobody will take away your edge again, you just need to come home to the basics of service, follow-up, living up to your word and caring like that customer is the baby you always wanted.
“I think you’re already leaving, feels like your hand is on the door. I thought this place was an empire, and now I’m relaxed and I can’t be sure.” – If You’re Gone by Match Box 20
Thomas von Ahn | Chief Elephant Slayer | Viral Solutions LLC
Watch out elephants! This slayer of business challenges comes with 30 years of record breaking sales, marketing, operations, training and leadership experience . He has worked face-to-face with 100’s of small business owners as well as large firms. His love of creating, communicating, developing and executing results for clients shines with each project, publication and training event. His entrepreneurial spirit, passion, industry experience, education, problem-solving prowess, charismatic personality and been-there-done that attitude leads his client focused approach.
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