The Power of Seeing Beyond the Immediate

When was the last time you came across a person who refused business in order to preserve the integrity of his business?

Last Wednesday, at the dry cleaners, I met a man who wanted to drop off some clothes. “Sorry, we’ve been closed the whole afternoon and we’re not taking any more clothes today,” said the owner of the business.

“Why?” asked the confused customer.

“We already have three basketfuls of clothes and my workers are already working overtime. So, if we accept any more clothes we won’t be able to manage. We usually offer same-day-service but now we’re telling our customers to come within the next 24-hours.”

When the man who’d brought his clothes tried to plead with the owner of the business to accept his clothes, he said, “Sorry, there’s nothing that I can do to help you. If I accept any more clothes and fail to clean them on time, you (my customers) will be the first to complain. Maybe if you try us tomorrow morning, we might be taking a bit more clothes.”

I marveled at this businessman as I left the dry cleaners that day.

I have been to a number of dry cleaners in and around the city. Most of them promise you that your clothes will be ready in three days but always seem to delay. What’s worse, most of them are indifferent about it. “But you said that I can collect my clothes today,” you may try to protest. “There must be a lot of clothes at the factory… I think your clothes will only be ready for collection the day after tomorrow,” is what the attendant will tell you, showing not the slightest empathy towards your predicament and closing all the options of soliciting any kind of further assistance from them.

The next time you want to take something to the dry cleaners which of the two would you approach?

Of cause, you would approach the former. Why the former? Because he was willing to loose business in order to maintain his integrity --- he did not promise you what he knows he cannot deliver so you are now ready to trust him.

On the other hand, the later did business with you but failed to live up to their promise. So, the next time you have anything that you want dry cleaned you won’t take it to them.

Do you see how when you can see beyond the immediate you can draw people to yourself? Not necessarily by giving them what they want, but by being honest with them.

Be Inspired and don’t forget to pass on the inspiration to those you love.

Be Inspired.