Many, many years ago I started working for a retail group. This group was so far ahead of their time it wasn’t funny. When I look back now at what I was taught back in the early 80’s this is what business are still trying to replicate to this day. It doesn’t matter if you are an on-line business or an off-line business the principles I was taught back then are still very relevant.
I was a young, green and naive girl back then, I was a sponge and very keen to soak up whatever was sent my way. I remember when I first started with this group I was sent home with two files of information that I was required to read before my first shift. One file contained basic product information and the ‘how to’ of the business. The second file was much more interesting to this enquiring mind. The second file was a “Formula For Excellence”. Boy, I ploughed through the information over and over again, soaking up all the information that was laid on the pages. The pages had been painstakingly typed by an old typewriter and diagrams were hand drawn. The information however, was up to date, exciting and most importantly relevant.
Now, I hear you ask why am I bringing up something from over 20 years ago? Well, just recently I found my file, my formula for excellence, I sat and read through the pages one by one, reminiscing a little, becoming that brash young 20 year old and then realizing that what I was reading was the formula I had put in place in my business. Without realizing I had been using that same formula throughout my working career and my business.
When I started my business I created a formula to work by using the word ‘Clarity’, although the wording is different the principles are the same. Although I had not read the old file from the past I realized that if I wanted my business to be a reflection of me, a reflection of my professionalism and a well regarded business I would need to have a formula to work by. When you are a soloist it is sometimes difficult to stay focused and on track so I spent time putting together my ‘Clarity Formula’. To this day I continue to use the formula in my business and with my business coaching clients.
Who would think that over 20 years later what was an exciting induction file for a retail group would end up becoming my formula for excellence?
Do you have a formula for excellence?
I was a young, green and naive girl back then, I was a sponge and very keen to soak up whatever was sent my way. I remember when I first started with this group I was sent home with two files of information that I was required to read before my first shift. One file contained basic product information and the ‘how to’ of the business. The second file was much more interesting to this enquiring mind. The second file was a “Formula For Excellence”. Boy, I ploughed through the information over and over again, soaking up all the information that was laid on the pages. The pages had been painstakingly typed by an old typewriter and diagrams were hand drawn. The information however, was up to date, exciting and most importantly relevant.
Now, I hear you ask why am I bringing up something from over 20 years ago? Well, just recently I found my file, my formula for excellence, I sat and read through the pages one by one, reminiscing a little, becoming that brash young 20 year old and then realizing that what I was reading was the formula I had put in place in my business. Without realizing I had been using that same formula throughout my working career and my business.
When I started my business I created a formula to work by using the word ‘Clarity’, although the wording is different the principles are the same. Although I had not read the old file from the past I realized that if I wanted my business to be a reflection of me, a reflection of my professionalism and a well regarded business I would need to have a formula to work by. When you are a soloist it is sometimes difficult to stay focused and on track so I spent time putting together my ‘Clarity Formula’. To this day I continue to use the formula in my business and with my business coaching clients.
Who would think that over 20 years later what was an exciting induction file for a retail group would end up becoming my formula for excellence?
Do you have a formula for excellence?
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