A friend shared a story with me recently that highlights the flaws in this saying.
The coffee machine in his office broke down. Well, it clogged up because no-one had cleaned it. It was disgustingly grimy and smelly (he couldn’t understand how people had continued to use it).
It was discovered by two staff in the firm he shares an office with and these saints recognised the problem and so set about cleaning it.
It took them 3 hours.
When they were done they shared before and after photos they’d taken.
Cue the oohs and ahs and of appreciation.
Their employer had been out attending meetings all morning and came back to be greeted by this.
His reaction was somewhat different.
He asked them how much a new coffee machine would have cost them. They estimated $300.
He then asked them how much he charged their services out to clients of the firm.
$120 per hour they responded.
Each.
His response? 'Your morning’s work has cost this firm $720 in revenue in order to save us $300.’
Focusing on the detail is good, but only when it’s aligned with your big picture objectives.
Are you clear on what you should be focusing on? If you’d like some help shoot us back an email.
