I saw an ad for a fishing pole yesterday that said “Twice the Action … Twice the Catch.” The pole was made from a flexible composite, so the slightest flick of the wrist transferred down the fishing line and motivated the jig, attracting more fish.
Flexibility is possibility. How flexible are you? Are you willing to negotiate prices, toss in extra services, shorten or extend deadlines, complete that one last revision or act as a bridge between associates?
Flexibility has a direct influence on success, yet is often overlooked by large corporations who feel they must institute a hierarchy of rigid rules to ensure operations run smoothly. They do not grant their employees the latitude to diverge from these rules, so customers feel that their business does not matter and will jump ship if they believe they can get better service elsewhere.
This is where small businesses can step in. Customers often deal directly with small business owners and managers, so they are afforded the flexibility they need to make them feel secure — and security is often worth more than money in today’s economic climate. If you understand your customers’ needs and are willing to consider special circumstances, your customers will have confidence that they are a priority to you and are not only likely to remain long-term customers, but are also likely to refer their business associates to you. All because you’re flexible.
The more flexible you are, the more fish you’ll catch.
