Feb 29
2016
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Excuses! Excuses!Posted by Steve Marr in Untagged |
Frequently a customer or employer will request that you complete work within a specific period of time. If you encounter difficulties meeting the deadline, you have a tendency to offer excuses. You may believe that your excuses are valid and others should understand and accept them. However Scripture provides an example where excuses were not so easily accepted. Likewise customers may not be so quick to accept your excuses either. The Lord told a story about a man who sent invitations to a dinner party and received excuses in return.
But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, “I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.” Another said, “I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and” Still another said, “I just got married, so I can’t come.” The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, “Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.” (Luke 14:18-21)
When the Lord asks us to do something we need to obey immediately, at all times and in all places. In this instance the Lord displayed his anger at the refusal of the invited guests and invited others to the dinner instead.
The business reality is that if you don't do something for a client or customer, somebody else will. Every time you offer an excuse you need to understand that one or more competitors may step in to supply what your excuse said you couldn’t give.
My perspective is that you need to weigh every time you have to say “no” to a customer. Make sure the reason you give is a solid enough explanation for failing to meet a customer’s request. Over time if you offer more and more excuses when your competitors don't, your business will shrink. Some excuses offer valid reasons for saying “no,” but an effective management perspective says you must make certain that excuses don't become a way of doing business. No customer wants to feel that their needs can be easily dismissed so that the business can do what they want.
Look for more ways to say “yes” to customers rather than offering excuses. Your business will grow as you please your customers with your service and attitude.
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