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December 21, 2008

The Little Extra Things Add Value

I just had my car fixed at Sippl's Auto Service, my local garage. They replaced the alternator, serpentine belt and belt tensioner, and even threw in repair of a ground wire that needed updating.

I was very pleased with the work, but the little thing that most impressed me was a repair they made on a plastic wiring cover under my dashboard they didn't mention.

That stinkin' plastic cover had been bugging me for weeks — I tried fixing the attachment pin, tried duct tape and yet it still fell down at my feet. Arggg!

But my garage fixed it with a new attachment pin, and didn't mention it. This little extra detail impressed me. Why? Because it showed that the mechanic cared enough to do this one little extra thing for me, his customer.

That's why I continue to take my cars to Sippl's — because these little extra details are a consistent thing they do, and I really appreciate it.

Giving a Little Extra = Value

I've been noticing when others give a little more like the example above, and am adapting this to my personal and professional life. It's not easy, because when I'm busy, the temptation is to do as little as I can get away with. But I've never found "as little as you can get away with" a good long-term solution. Eventually, it shows.

In my experience, giving a little more than expected does work. For a little additional cost, in time, or something extra delivered, I've found it builds trust and enhances my reputation as someone who cares about those I choose to work with.

Every day I ask how I can improve in this area. Some days I'm better at it and on some days I fail. But the point is to constantly try adding value by doing just a little beyond the expectation. I aim to keep improving at this every day.

Here's the question to consider — how in your professional and personal life, can you give a little bit more than expected? Is there a little thing you can do that isn't necessarily much more effort but communicates that you care?

When you find these little things, do them!

The little extra things add value.

December 21, 2008 9:10 AM | Observations | add to del.icio.us