“Play your cards right.”
It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want To Be. by Paul Arden, page 64
Today’s quote has a couple of lessons attached.
The first one has to do with timing. You have to know when to hold them and you have to know when to fold them, as Kenny Rogers so eloquently reminded us in song. I suppose we can consider this as “timing.” When to speak, when to listen, when to act, and when to double down your efforts are all important decisions you will have to make on a daily basis.
Not every mistake will prove to be debilitating, but a bad decision made at the wrong time could leave you in a bunch of hurt. Without sounding like I am preaching to the choir, I will once again remind you that an honest, straightforward, customer–oriented approach to both customers and sticky situations will always be your best course of action.
Now on to one of my stronger observations. But before I risk bruising your ego, let me say that if your business is working to your complete satisfaction, stop listening to me or any other business specialist immediately. Keep doing what you are doing if it works for you.
That being said, you might want to fasten your seatbelts. Most travel agent business cards suck. They are amateur in nature, filled with clip art, fancy fonts, small print, and hard-to-find (no less read) email addresses. They were printed with the card-carrier in mind, with little if any concern for the recipient. They smack of amateurism and there is no surprise when prospects don’t take the agent seriously.
If I am not talking to you, I am not talking to you. But if the shoe fits, you might want to try another pair… or something like that. Give yourself the business card acid test. Pick up your card as if you were a prospect and ask yourself, “Is all the pertinent information I need to contact this service provider easy to find, easy to read, and easy to interpret?” Yes? Or no? (I rest my case.)
Another thing while I have you simmering on a low boil: your email address may be working fine as far as you are concerned. Nobody (but me) cares enough about you to say what I am about to say. If you are using a gmail, AOL, or some other free email service, you may be raising a red flag to your next prospect that you are in this business as a hobby.
We can debate this one all day long, and you can defend your decision until the cows come home. For $200/hour I will be happy to tell you that according to me, I think you are making a poor judgment call… one that can be fixed for just a few more dollars.
Whatever you decide to do moving forward, tomorrow is another day.
Mike presents a business-building webinar on the third Thursday of every month sponsored by AmaWaterways. To receive monthly invitations send Mike an email with the words “business training” in the Subject Box. You will also receive a link to the recorded version.
For information on Mike’s Fourth Annual Training Cruise, email Mike at mike@mikemarchev.com with the word “cruise” in the subject box.
