(Time to read this Blog is about 3 minutes)

Before we get to the main topic, here are a few things to get you thinking or smiling:

1. My Biz Quote of the week:  
   “Creating a Brand is like painting a picture that your target customers want to be in.  Understand who they are, what they want, what they value and what they fear…then paint a beautiful and compelling Brand picture for them.”
   …Donald Cooper.
    
2. Quick Biz Tip:
   The 5 questions that great job candidates are asking themselves.
   1. Here are 5 key questions that good candidates have on their mind as they go through your interview  / screening / hiring process:
   2. Will I have an opportunity to make a difference?
   3. How will this job help me grow my career…and grow as a person.
   4. Will I be treated fairly, paid competitively and ‘thanked’ frequently?
   5. How will this job fit in with the other important aspects of my life?
   6. Will this be an uplifting place to come to every day?

Every aspect of your interview  / screening / hiring process should help great candidates answer these 5 key questions in the affirmative. How does your process rate?

3. Canada’s Port of Vancouver is the second most inefficient container port in the world. It ranks #347 (out of a possible 348 spots) on a global list of container ports by efficiency.  It somehow did worse than last year…when it finished third last.
    
   On top of that, the 7,000 employees who work there have just voted 99% to go on strike for a more balanced and fair deal.  When you’re 2^nd last in the world it takes some guts to demand a more balanced and fair deal.
    
4. I have one Biz Coaching slot open. I’ve wrapped up working with one of my Biz Coaching clients.  We’ve accomplished all that we set out to do, plus many items they didn’t know needed a tune up. 
    
   If you’d like help in improving clarity, management, efficiency, your compelling customer value, a more engaged team and improved profitability, perhaps we should chat about possibilities and outcomes.
    
   Also, if you’re looking for a graceful and profitable exit from your business, perhaps we should talk.
    
   If you need help sorting out challenges with your family business or partnership, we should definitely talk.  I’m easy to find at donald@donaldcooper.com.
    
5. Revised Biz Tool now available, no charge. I’ve just updated and improved my Biz Tool  #B-18, ’14 Keys to Creating A Winning Culture’.   To download this insightful Tool, Click Here.  It takes just 6 minutes to complete.  You’ll be amazed at what you discover about your business culture.

Now, to this week’s important topic:

Attention To Detail…the ‘small stuff’ makes all the difference

Years ago, on a trip to New York city, I came across a brick wall on which someone had spray painted in huge letters, “Don’t sweat the small stuff!”  But then someone else had come along and added below, “But it’s the small stuff that makes all the difference!” 

Whether your business is large or small, the ‘small stuff’ is important in every part of your operation. ‘Small stuff’ that saves you money, makes you more efficient, helps the environment or makes a connection with customers will grow your bottom line.

Costco is a discounter, but they don’t cut corners.  They pay attention to small details.  Here are a few examples:

1. By changing the jars containing their private label Kirkland Brand cashew nuts from round to square, they’re now able to ship 50% more jars per pallet. By going ‘square’, they’re saving 600 truckloads of shipping cost per year…just on cashews.  This saves money and, of course, saves the environment a little.
    
2. Their Kirkland Brand bed sheets are stitched with 11 to 12 stitches per inch, compared to the industry standard of 6 to 8, which makes them stronger and more durable.
    
3. The individual spaces in their parking lot are wider than in any other lot so that folks can load their vehicle without scratching the car next to them.
    
4. When you order from Costco online, your purchase arrives in a box that’s sealed with paper tape, not plastic. Paper tape makes those cartons easier and less costly to recycle. 

You gotta love that attention to detail. 

So, what are the ‘details’, the ‘small stuff’ in your business that needs looking at and improving?  How can you be just a bit more efficient, or helpful, or kind, in a way that will make your customers smile and come back, make your team proud…and grow your bottom line?  

I’d love to hear from you about ‘small things’ you’ve done that made a difference.  I’m easy to reach at donald@donaldcooper.com.

That’s it for this week…

Stay safe…live brilliantly!       

Donald Cooper 

Donald Cooper speaks and coaches internationally on management, marketing, and profitability.  He can be reached by email at donald@donaldcooper.com in Toronto, Canada.