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You are here: Home / motivation / The basics matter

The basics matter

September 9, 2010 By Jim Raffel

The Basics never really changeThe basics never really change and sometimes in the “moment” of working on the complex fun stuff we forget that.

  • A sale is not a sale until their check clears your bank.
  • Be nice, treat others as you would like to be treated.
  • The customer is always right, even when she is wrong. (If you can’t accept this one realize this particular customer will no longer be a customer and then she can be wrong all she wants).
  • Save ten percent of what you earn.

You get the picture. Now, it’s your turn what would you add to the basics list?

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Filed Under: motivation, personal development Tagged With: basics, matter, reason, tools

Comments

  1. Randy Murray says

    September 9, 2010 at 12:06 pm

    Not everyone can be your customer. Learn to tell who is and who is not.

    • Jim Raffel says

      September 9, 2010 at 1:58 pm

      Very nice sir, very nice indeed. We can be friends with lots of people but the reality is we will only do business with a small percentage of them. That distinction is key.

  2. Shelmke says

    September 9, 2010 at 12:09 pm

    Smile, even when you don’t want to. It puts people at ease and boosts your confidence.

    • Jim Raffel says

      September 9, 2010 at 1:59 pm

      Or, it makes them wonder what you are/have been up to 😉

  3. Sue Spaight says

    September 9, 2010 at 12:10 pm

    Always underpromise and over deliver.

    You have to be able to laugh at yourself.

    In the end, only kindness matters. (had to include a
    Jewel quote)

  4. Shannon Steffen says

    September 9, 2010 at 12:18 pm

    Always family first.

    Work to live – don’t live to work. (unless you have work like ours, Jim!)

    A simple smile to a stranger can change their lives in ways you cannot imagine!

  5. Shannon Steffen says

    September 9, 2010 at 12:18 pm

    Always family first.

    Work to live – don’t live to work. (unless you have work like ours, Jim!)

    A simple smile to a stranger can change their lives in ways you cannot imagine!

  6. Alicia says

    September 9, 2010 at 12:46 pm

    I agree with Shannon — Family first, work to live. 🙂

    Oh…I also have to add: Always wear appropriate shoes.

    • Jim Raffel says

      September 9, 2010 at 1:59 pm

      Girls aren’t supposed to talk about appropriate shoes…..oh wait, so when out at night six inch heels are appropriate – right? (I’m a boy help me with this)

      • Alicia says

        September 9, 2010 at 4:52 pm

        I suppose it depends on whether or not you can balance in 6-inch heels. Unfortunately, I am not very graceful…

  7. Kristi Mendez says

    September 9, 2010 at 1:04 pm

    A bit of a twist to your third bullet, thanks to my step-dad. “The customer isn’t always right…but they are always the customer.”

    • Jim Raffel says

      September 9, 2010 at 2:00 pm

      Great adjustment to an important one on my list. My brother has also suggested calling them business partners not customers. He may have something.

  8. Pete Prodoehl says

    September 9, 2010 at 3:13 pm

    The customer is always right… Disagree! Often customers need to be educated. They may *think* they know what is right, but if they’ve come to you to solve their problems, they need to be willing to admit they may be wrong…

  9. Luann Collins says

    September 9, 2010 at 5:44 pm

    Had to have a chat with the guy at “Publix” last weekend about the “basic” need for “Barbeque” food for Labor Day Weekend. Walked out of the store with the basic…. CatFOOD

  10. Luann Collins says

    September 9, 2010 at 5:44 pm

    Had to have a chat with the guy at “Publix” last weekend about the “basic” need for “Barbeque” food for Labor Day Weekend. Walked out of the store with the basic…. CatFOOD

  11. Debbie says

    September 10, 2010 at 12:42 am

    “Sometimes, if you stand on the bottom rail of a bridge and lean over to watch the river slipping slowly away beneath you, you will suddenly know everything there is to be known.” — Winnie the Pooh

    Or, put another way – always stop to smell the roses.

    • Jim Raffel says

      September 10, 2010 at 12:44 am

      Not to play favorites but you know how I feel about Winnie the Pooh quotes 🙂

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