Fundamental #2: Make Quality Personal

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The 30 Fundamentals that make up the “ConnectSMART Way” describe how we want to run our business – the way we treat our clients, the way we work with each other, and even the way we relate to our vendors and suppliers.  They’re who we are and they’re the foundation of our success.  They drive everything we do, every day. Each week we focus on a different fundamental and discuss in depth.

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Fundamental #2: Make Quality Personal

Take pride in the quality of everything you touch and everything you do. Always ask yourself, “Is this my best work?” Everything you touch has your signature. 

So much of how we live today is all about short term gains.  We hear the missives on “do it right the first time”, “if you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?” etc.  But unfortunately it is spoken about much more than actually done.

The role of a signature in a contract is not solely to provide evidence of the identity of the contracting party, but also to provide evidence of deliberation and informed consent. Arguably one of the most famous signatures in recent history was John Hancock’s.  A document considered treasonous and most certainly guaranteeing a death sentence, he flamboyantly signed it in the largest signature of the document to make sure that “old king George could read it without his spectacles”.  How often do we prefer to make an excuse instead of commit and be held accountable? How ready are we to put our name on the line?

What’s in a name? In the classic tragedy Romeo rejects his name and vows to be Juliet’s lover. I was taught from a young age that one of the only things you really have is your name.  There is nothing more important in life that a good name.  Yet how much of that has been degraded today?  Most of the superstars of today have made up names, our politicians can’t stop reminding everyone that they are responsible for a bill until it becomes unpopular then they wonder why everyone thinks that they had something to do with it! A signature work describes the work as readily identifying its creator. What will my body of work be? What is my signature on that work and the world around me?  Is it a signature sauce from KFC (quick, convenient, cheap, a little greasy and I regret it a couple hours later) or is it something where when someone looks at it they say “Wow”.  We do sign everything we do.  Let’s make sure it is signature we are proud of.  We sometimes forget we are building our reputation every day. Whether it is a reputation for greatness, mediocrity, or even a bad reputation.

As we build the brands of Connections and ConnectSMART each of you have your name on that brand.  Each of us have the responsibility and opportunity to have our name associated with our brand, with your brand.  Connections and ConnectSMART is you.  You have your signature on it just like Dave and I do.  Be proud of what you have accomplished, constantly strive to “Make it Better”, every interaction is a reflection of each of us.  Sign your name every day on what you do big enough so no one needs their spectacles to recognize the quality in your work.

Dan