Be Clear or Suffer the Consequences
The details matter. A lot.
I’m in negotiations with a new client.
They’re interested in updating some of their training materials for their sales associates in stores. Given my two decades running retail teams, it’s a project I’m well suited for. However, communication with them has already been a struggle.
The initial offer was vague. Something along the lines of “Help us rework these training materials.” Okay. But there are a lot.
Also, they’re in a rush. They want something reworked by Friday so they can show their boss the update in a meeting next week.
That’s fine, but I’m one person.
So, I sent them a detailed contract outlining what pieces I would rework and when to deliver them.
After a few emails back and forth, we agreed. So, I’m off and running.
It got me thinking about how often this happened with my retail teams.
Oops, my bad.
It definitely happened. Only some of the time, but when it did, I quickly realized I needed to explain what I wanted clearly.
I’d give a sales associate a task - Fold this shirt and putting it on this table.
I’d return fifteen minutes later, and the shirt was folded wrong.
Oops, my bad. Yep, I didn’t tell you to fold it differently.
When we are vague, we often have to do double work. When we are vague, people get confused and maybe even let down.
Over-explain what you want. It may make sense to you but not to the other person. Get it right the first time. Get time back in your week and drive on.
MAILBOX
I got this message last week from someone who wants to buy my book but can’t because he is in Singapore.
“Still sold out on Amazon 🥲
Is there any other way I can get a hold of a hard copy?
Thank you so much 🙏🙏🙏”
When Amazon doesn’t deliver to your country, it says “sold out.”
MAJOR BUMMER
So, I’m headed to the UPS Store this week to send him a copy, and he will pay me to ship it.
It’s literally so absolutely incredible that he wants a copy and messaged me about it. How can I not send it to him? I have to. So, I will.
Do everything humanly possible for the people cheering you on.
LEVEL UP
One thing you can do this week is to level up your leadership.
Over-communicate.
As we learned in the first part of this newsletter, what’s clear to you is not clear to other people.
Last night my husband and I went around and around about a phone charger. I said, “I can’t find my phone charger.”
He thought I meant the power block that you plug the cord into. No. I meant the cord.
We talked to each other for a solid five minutes before we realized we were both talking about different things. Finally, I found my charger—the cord, not the power block.
See what I mean? Ugh, exhausting.
Save yourself time, and be detailed and overly clear.
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Did I hear you say????? We SO often misunderstand!! And go Singapore!!
Love it, love it, love it! So true! And how great is that story about your book traveling to Singapore???