What makes a business work?
My professional organizing colleague Lorie Marrero and I were emailing back and forth today about businesses that run smoothly and businesses that run amock.
Today, I brought my Mercedes ML320 to the dealer in Beverly Hills to run some diagnostic work. You can see a picture of my car above right, along with my new nifty *vanity* license plates that were a gift three weeks ago.
Since my problem wasn't requiring an appointment (or so I thought) I talked to a service tech on the phone and he said to just bring the car down. Computer diagnostics are best handled by the dealer and not your local neighborhood mechanic, so I was worried. This was my first experience with the dealership (new car for me). Well oh my gosh, what a sight—I pulled up to the service center at the dealer and that location was like a well-run factory, with gleaming white floors, music, palm trees and kind courteous employees everywhere, including the hurried customers. All those Beverly Hills housewives getting their oil changed demand all this attention I guess. Well, heck, I appreciate all this attention!
Because this was my first time I was so surprised on how fast I got in and got out. How the service tech got my name on the second time, along with the way I like it pronounced. I was able to rent a car on the spot without having to leave the building. The service department is so big, they have their own Enterprise Rent A Car on site, in their own spacious glass office, with SIX people behind the counter renting out cars. I think I am in the wrong business!
Well, I just wish every business ran like this. I know modern adult life is about finding value and the cost of that value. And this got me thinking. What make a business work? What makes a business swim like an Olympian? Here's what Lorie had to say in her e-mail this afternoon:
"Don’t you love seeing a thing of beauty in motion? A well-running business with real systems is getting more rare all the time. It really frustrates me when I go into many businesses and in about 5 minutes I can see about 10 things they could improve easily with basic systems."
So, what makes a place of business a place you'd want to do business with? And do you pay more for convenience, professionalism and knowledge?
Like this Topic?
