Love at the Office?

Is it okay to have love at work? You bet says Steven Dearien owner of Sundance Dental Laboratory in Scottsdale, Arizona. Now get this - it's not the type of love you may be thinking of... it is real love. Caring for people and their personal needs.

I had a chance to bring a group of Scouts over to Sundance and take a tour of the lab and learn more than I wanted to know about what happens when your natural teeth "expire" for one reason or another. (The fact is - it was interesting and obvious that a good looking smile is a big confidence booster!)

Back to love at the office...

As we were leaving our tour guide took us past a rack of publications that had a picture of Steve on it and was a promotion piece for the lab. In small print at the bottom it outlined his company philosophy for Sundance - here it is:

"Love what you do. Love who you do it with. Love who you do it for."

I stared at those three sentences for a few moments and then outloud said "that's cool." What an awesome way to describe what we all want from our careers. Love is such a powerful word that you shouldn't associate it with anything unless you truly feel passionate about what you are describing.

Wouldn't everyone want to LOVE what they did for a living day, in and day out? Wouldn't you LOVE to be around uplifting people ALL day long that helped you become a better man or women in everything they said and did? And finally, would it not be awesome to love your clients and the people that you serve in your business? To really care about their success and profitibility?

You bet.

Let's make this simple... this is Mr. Dearien's company philosophy because HE BELIEVES IT. It is something he most likely conveys in everything he does in his office (I sure hope so because I have never met him), it seemed like it from the person who gave us the tour. It appeared to be a really cool place to work. I'd bet money that it is...

I would also bet that Steve wouldn't mind if every company in America adopted his philosophy. The marketplace would be a much nicer place.

TK

Pass the Show Up Test

Have you ever heard the phrase "showing up is half the battle?" I don't know who first came up with it but I do know that it makes sense to me. Another way that I have heard it put is you have to "pass the show up test."

I have taken this phrase and compiled a list of key things to do on any appointment, meeting or assignment. Here they are according to order of importance:

1. Show Up
2. Show Up on Time
3. Be Prepared
4. Have a Positive Attitude
5. Do Your Best

If showing up is half the battle, then showing up on time must advance you forward in some measurement. Show up early and that will move you forward even further.

Be prepared for your appointments, meetings and any other assignments. Do your homework and make sure you can convey that you are ready to do business, make recommendations and demonstrate that you are an industry expert in your field.

Ever heard that attitude is everything? That's not true - if showing up is half the battle (50%) then attitude cannot be everything (100%), but it is HUGE. Let's face it, there is enough negativity in business that we don't need to add any fuel to the fire. In fact, a positive demeanor and a positive approach will get you noticed. Enthusiasm SELLS!

Finally, do your best. Only you know if you are giving 100% in your appointments, meetings and other important encounters. In selling it is tough to do it day in and day out - you know it too if you are in the arena every day. As a manager I can only imagine and appreciate those that do it well.

Outside of selling this formula is just as true... teaching a Sunday School class - show up, be on time, be prepared, have a great attitude and do your best! You get the idea...

In all that you do pass the show up test!

TK