Little Things Make a Big Difference or 1+1+2=112

By Tom Borg © 2010


As two business partners are being seated in a restaurant, they mention to the greeter that they are in a hurry. A few moments later, a waitress is ready to take their order. She acknowledges that they are on a tight schedule and will put a rush order on having their lunch prepared. A few minutes later, the waitress returns with the lunches and the bill. She suggests to the two men that if they would prefer to pay for their meal now, it would save them a few extra minutes when they are ready to leave. The two business partners agree and express their appreciation for her thoughtfulness.

So often, small business owners overlook the little things that mean so much to their customers. Running a business is like running a marathon; yet, some people run it like it was a 50 yard dash. They are in such a hurry to get to the finish line that the customer’s real needs and wants are overlooked. Successful business owners realize that they are running a race, and this race is 26 miles and 385 yards long. They know that in order to be a winner, they must take care of the “little things” throughout the entire race. Like the old saying goes, “Being successful should never be confused with remaining successful.” Success¬ful business owners realize that they are in business for the long haul, not just the short ride. Take note of all the little things that are important to your customers. Set up a system to make sure these expectations are met. Remember, by taking care of the little things for your customers, it will help you earn their loyalty for life.

List three things that may be minor but do make a difference to your customers. Decide to implement them on a regular basis.