AsktheExpert - Window Film -MarchApril2012

Volume 16, Issue 2 - March/April 2012

AsktheExpert
By Donna Wells

Follow Through

Hello and welcome to another spring—another year for all of us to set the world on fire and another year to figure out how we are all going to make 2012 the best year ever. Two words come to mind when I think of what will help make you successful or cause you to fail. Those two words are “follow through.”

Assessing
How many times have you said, “If only they had called me in a timely manner,” or “They said they would finish on Monday and today is Wednesday and they are still not finished?” Yes, we have all been on the receiving end of someone not following through. We have all thought to ourselves, “How do they stay in business?” Now, let’s turn that around and ask ourselves, how many times have we not followed through? What happens to our business relationships when we make a commitment and then do not follow through?

“As an entrepreneur, you must not only be able to start a project, but nurture it through its cycles, making sure that every step is being tended to properly.”

First, let’s examine what this term means.” Quite simply, it is the art of completion; seeing a project through its various stages and making sure that the end result is satisfactory. Sounds simple enough, but some people have a difficult time with the finishing part of the job. As an entrepreneur, you must not only be able to start a project, but nurture it through its cycles, making sure that every step is being tended to properly. It doesn’t matter in which area of the window film industry you specialize, follow through is important. It is important to those whom you made the commitment to as well as those who may be waiting on you to take the next step. Don’t fall into the phrase, “I’ll do that tomorrow.” Do it today! When you make a commitment, follow through!

Motivation
Why do we not do this? Usually the reason falls into one of three categories: 1) I don’t want to do that project; 2) I don’t feel like doing that project; and 3) I just don’t have the time to do that project. We all have things we don’t want to do or don’t like to do. Unfortunately, that is just a part of life. My best advice is to do those projects first thing in the morning and get them off your plate. The longer you wait or put them off, the more agonizing they become. So, don’t delay—follow through.

What if the project seems larger than life? What if we just do not have the time to complete it in a timely manner? Consider delegation. Many times, we have business associates that we could lean on to help us get through the task at hand. Delegating empowers us and those around us. It is human nature to want to help others. It makes us feel good. Delegating will allow you to complete the project and perhaps boost the self-esteem of a work associate.

F inally, think about your commitment to follow-through and how it affects others in your office? If you do not complete a project, will it keep others from being able to follow through on their projects? Will your lack of commitment cause a chain reaction? How will that make you look and, more importantly, will it tarnish your company’s reputation? So, the next time you catch yourself saying “I will handle that next week,” don’t. Do it now and follow through!

Donna Wells is the division head of the wholesale division at Window Film Depot.

Got a question for Donna?
Ask the Expert by emailing your thoughts and questions to Donna at komara@glass.com. Individual names and company names will be withheld upon request.