Back in April 2004, I started my new job as the Managing Director of a company that provided motor claims process services for insurers, a brand which was owned (and financially fed by) a global business process services and software provider. It operated as an intermediary between the insurance companies and the bodyshops; and it was wrestling with some seriously big financial challenges at the time.

When I took over, the business was losing £3m gross, which equated to £250k per month. Not a great place to start, but music to my ears because I knew what confidence felt like, I had no fear of challenges, and I was used to finding better, more efficient ways of doing things.

During the three months leading up to April, I started preparing for my new role (I’d quickly learnt that last-minute didn’t work at that level!). I had NO idea what I was going to find when I walked through the door, but I knew that if I didn’t arrive with a plan of action from day one, then it would be impossible to get anyone else to buy into me, my potential, or my ideas.

The first stage of my Set Up for this role was my appearance. So, I turned up on my first day in my new luxury 4×4 car, wearing my new Rolex watch and new Oliver Sweeney shoes, with my Montblanc in my pocket and clothed in one of three Savile Row tailored suits that I’d ordered (why I’d purchased a new set of golf clubs still remains a mystery!).

This is the important part – please believe me that this was all about business and nothing to do with vanity. This was a major corporate challenge and I knew I had to look the part, and it was very important that people knew I was serious.

I’m sharing this example today because it’s a quirky but real-life story that demonstrates the importance of one of our Scale Maxim’s:

How You Do Anything, Is How You Do Everything.

Think about this, particularly the ‘anything’ aspect:

• If you’re more of a winger than a planner and are often late with work deadlines, then it’s likely these characteristics are present in your personal life.
• If you’re constantly rushing around and don’t pay much attention to the detail in your business, then chances are these carry over into your home life.
• If you have conflict with family or friends, you’ll probably find you have conflict in your work life.
• If you treat people with little respect and make unrealistic demands on them, it’s likely you won’t be on the top of their priority list when you need their support or help (common in lock down).

The most successful business owners we work with are ones who do “anything” right, with pride and better than anyone else (even if it’s something they don’t particularly enjoy doing). And they focus on the now, being present. The problem is, most people are always so busy thinking about the future, they’re not focusing on the tasks that need doing right now.

And the best bit – they have a team that thinks, acts and behaves as they do – and the entire company cares about the brand as much as the owners.

Nobody is perfect, but this week is a good time for reflection on how we may sometimes act and behave, and what effect this has on others around us in both our professional and personal lives.

BW,

Martin

Martin Norbury

Investor | Business Mentor at Advocate | Author of I don’t work Fridays