Does your family business have “broken windows” in need of repair? In his latest blog video, Wayne explains the importance of this question. Please share your comments below.
Broken windows is all about perception, and we all know that perception is the true reality of other’s beliefs of us. We work hard to do and present the best of what and who we are. Working to maintain that is just like change (a constant). In this busy world, letting little thing go such as the appearance of vehicles, equipment, facilities, etc., sets the perception (their reality) of what others think of us.
Great topic and reminder!
Thanks, Harry! As life would have it, after my rant last week we dropped the ball on a couple of details… Keeps us humble and let’s us know we still have work to do!
Hi Wayne,
thanks for your blog again. There is a balance between paying attention to the little things and not sweating the little things too much. I agree first impressions go a long way in improving your business image and never compromise on quality. But when resources are limited energy tends to be spend on the bigger things only (like the evidently 500$ an hour jobs), The little things do tend to suffer as they never reach highest priority, but they eventually do have a big impact. This can be easily fixed (like a broken window ;o)), so yes: we do need to look at them from time to time and make a spring cleaning and tackle the little things. So I will start scheduling a little time and energy for these small-but-big-impact things too (and add them to my 500$ an hour jobs list). Thanks for the advice.
Cheers,
Sandra
Great comment, Sandra. How does one balance the little things with the admonition to simultaneously focus on the $500 an hour jobs? Excellence is a way of life, not a task. It has to be part of your personal and fambiz culture. It should NOT be your job or the job of any single person. It’s everyone’s job all the time!
Amen Wayne! Some years ago in New York City I came across a large brick wall where someone had spray painted, “Don’t sweat the small stuff!”
Someone else had then come along and spray painted underneath that, “But, it’s the ‘small stuff’ that makes all the difference!”
‘thanks’ for your ongoing wisdom and encouragement.
Donald Cooper.
Great topic, Great presentation, Thank you Wayne. If management/ownership doesn’t take pride in how our workplace looks everyday. why should staff? Who wants to work at a place where no one cares?
Alan Johnson says:
Broken windows is all about perception, and we all know that perception is the true reality of other’s beliefs of us. We work hard to do and present the best of what and who we are. Working to maintain that is just like change (a constant). In this busy world, letting little thing go such as the appearance of vehicles, equipment, facilities, etc., sets the perception (their reality) of what others think of us.
Great topic and reminder!
Wayne Rivers says:
So true, Alan! Excellence and attention to detail are habits, not afterthoughts or “nice to haves.” Thanks!
Harry Clark says:
Well done!
Wayne Rivers says:
Thanks, Harry! As life would have it, after my rant last week we dropped the ball on a couple of details… Keeps us humble and let’s us know we still have work to do!
Jeryl Rawls says:
An indication of this theory is if your project job site signs are perfectly straight or not. And it has to be built into company’s culture.
Wayne Rivers says:
Perfect analogy, Jeryl! Thanks
Paul says:
Very very good !!!!!!!
Wayne Rivers says:
Thank you, Paul.
sandra de Roos says:
Hi Wayne,
thanks for your blog again. There is a balance between paying attention to the little things and not sweating the little things too much. I agree first impressions go a long way in improving your business image and never compromise on quality. But when resources are limited energy tends to be spend on the bigger things only (like the evidently 500$ an hour jobs), The little things do tend to suffer as they never reach highest priority, but they eventually do have a big impact. This can be easily fixed (like a broken window ;o)), so yes: we do need to look at them from time to time and make a spring cleaning and tackle the little things. So I will start scheduling a little time and energy for these small-but-big-impact things too (and add them to my 500$ an hour jobs list). Thanks for the advice.
Cheers,
Sandra
Wayne Rivers says:
Great comment, Sandra. How does one balance the little things with the admonition to simultaneously focus on the $500 an hour jobs? Excellence is a way of life, not a task. It has to be part of your personal and fambiz culture. It should NOT be your job or the job of any single person. It’s everyone’s job all the time!
Donald Cooper says:
Amen Wayne! Some years ago in New York City I came across a large brick wall where someone had spray painted, “Don’t sweat the small stuff!”
Someone else had then come along and spray painted underneath that, “But, it’s the ‘small stuff’ that makes all the difference!”
‘thanks’ for your ongoing wisdom and encouragement.
Donald Cooper.
Wayne Rivers says:
Thanks for the encouragement!
George Schwab says:
Great topic, Great presentation, Thank you Wayne. If management/ownership doesn’t take pride in how our workplace looks everyday. why should staff? Who wants to work at a place where no one cares?
Wayne Rivers says:
Agree 110%! Thanks, George.