Dubai Information





Yes… “Walk the Talk”

Phil Bedford

No matter how good a company/individual claims their service or product is, invariably it is in “walking the talk” that we see the true meaning of a person or company’s metal.
“Actions speak louder than words” is the quotation we all know. 
 
In my years in business, I have often seen companies charging premium rates because of their exemplary service/ product . They quite happily charge the client extra and chalk it down to these added extras. 

 

The interesting part comes when you dig deeper. Who are their suppliers and how are they treated? Does the company actually pay for the best or do they suddenly become price motivated rather then quality motivated when it comes to their own pockets? Surely suppliers chosen on price will have a knock-on effect on the end-users ultimate product or service.
 
It’s the same in the Training/Educational arena.
 
I regularly see coaches/trainers who preach that in the current climate “Training of staff is the solution “ ( which, by the way, I wholeheartedly agree with ). Yet they, as trainers, are not investing in expanding their own knowledge. 
 
I hear them complaining that the clients will not invest in their staff and yet these trainers rarely invest in themselves. They are not “walking the talk”.
 
As the markets change we need to change with them and pull on new and often slightly different methods of working to provide the best service or product. We as trainers need to continue our education. This could be continuing our own education in our own area of expertise or expanding into others to get a broader picture to help provide a more holistic approach.
 
If it is a matter of finance then I would suggest other options. Look at payment schemes or even barters but, whatever, do not stop learning.
 
I have seen ”trainers” instructing their clients on time keeping, delegation and staff retention and yet they are themselves incapable of making meetings, delegating or keeping staff.
 
One of the main challenges with training and education as an industry is that it is an intangible product in so many ways. We are most probably our own greatest sales tool or asset and it is paramount to our own business, self respect and our clients that we “walk the talk”.
 
In referral marketing your reputation is everything. You need credibility to move into profitability. Once lost, Credibility can be almost impossible to recover.
 
The safest bet is to be doing it right from the start.
You owe it to yourself and whoever is referring you. After all, they are putting their reputation on the line.
 
Do you “walk the talk” in your business or is it just a sales pitch?

 
Start doing something about it NOW.

*  Truth or Delusion – Dr. Ivan Misner, Mike Macedonio, Mike Garrison
 
Phil Bedford
Master Trainer / Managing Director
Referral Institute Middle East