This is one of those posts that is going to go one of two ways for you the reader, you will find it somewhat useful in your small business or personal life or you will find it to be one of the most useless posts you have read in a long time. Those of you that already subscribe to my rss feed know that in addition to writing this blog I own and operate the best tanning salon in Florida (yeah that’s biased) Extreme Tan and Smoothies and a slightly insane limousine business we like to call Insane Limos, home of the Barbie pink Hummer limo.
This entire post is thanks to a leak in my brain, others might call it insanity I call it a brain dump. As I walked down the hallway at our home offices I started to think of one of my associates and a struggle I feel they have with being efficient in certain situations, this of course drives me bananas because efficiency is key to me. I decided to grab a dry-erase marker and write the words “your position requires….” on the giant white board in our training room, I followed that up by writing the word “efficiency”. After pausing for a moment to look at how pathetic my handwriting was I continued to write words and phrases that came to my mind about the things that MY position requires, I took a picture of the board to give you an idea of how it looks.
27 Things Your Position Requires
- Elite customer service
- Efficiency
- Focus
- Patience
- Creativity
- Dedication
- Sense of urgency
- Positive attitude
- Thinking
- Multitasking
- Customer care
- Determination
- Positive thinking
- 110%
- Training
- A smile
- Willingness to learn
- Commitment
- Problem solving
- Passion
- Teamwork
- Energy
- Goals
- Endless energy
- Heart
- Caring
- Insanity
My initial thought about how I might be able to help an associate and how the the word “efficiency” might come in to play spawned the scribbling on the wall, but what followed is a good example of what my position requires and a pretty good idea of what I expect from people that I work with.
I know you love the rambling but it’s time for it to come to an end so that you can take a quick second and leave a comment with a few things that you feel your position requires, you would be surprised at how easy it is to keep going once you start listing the things that you MUST DO TO SUCCEED. Once you finish leaving your comment don’t forget to become a fan of my Facebook Fan Page or follow me on twitter @extremejohn, there’s no better time then right now.
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{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: BlazingMinds
I think we could probably take some if not all the words and use them to inspire what we all do when we are blogging
It’s certainly inspiring me to think more efficiently.
.-= Karen @ Blazing Minds´s last blog ..Snow Causes a Standstill in North Wales! =-.
Twitter: freemanlegacy
Welcome back!
I think a couple of the things I need more of that aren’t on the list are Perseverance and Better Listening Skills.
.-= Ms. Freeman@Baby Steps of an Internet Entreprenuer´s last blog ..Ode to Akismet =-.
Twitter: tanninginfo
I think if you have passion towards what you do, then most of the other 26 items will come somewhat easily to you. And anything that does not come easily you will strive to improve upon, because you are motivated to be your best.
Twitter: blogsterblogsire.com
It’s good to see you’ve put customer service at the top there John, but why the hell did you have to include multitasking in that list? You know that excludes almost all the males in existence don’t you?
.-= Sire@WassupBlog´s last blog ..Why I Will Never Be A ProBlogger =-.
Twitter: ariherzog
You’re missing failure. Success will never happen without it. Never.
Background: http://ariwriter.com/resolve-to-fail-in-2010/
.-= Ari Herzog´s last blog ..How Electromyography May Change Your Life =-.
I cannot work without efficiency. That, good time management skills, a good work ethic and a great attitude works for me
Nice list. I think all those things are necessary to have a great day of business.
.-= Jordasche Bledsoe´s last blog ..NBA Star Gilbert Arenas Suspended With No Pay =-.
Twitter: websiteweekend
What a cool idea!
Have you thought of putting up a board for your people to write “This is your job as The Boss?” That could get reeeally interesting. Of course, everything on the board applies to you double already.
John, you ought to be pretty close to being able to hire a part time editor. You have massive talent for getting the words out, with someone to help you with a little bit of structure, you’re going to knock it out of the park.
Seriously.
.-= Dave Doolin @ Website In A Weekend´s last blog ..As The Internet Evolves – Anonymity Go Bye Bye =-.
Twitter: jsinkeywest
My “position” requires me to
Be steady
Be Confident
Be someone who SMILES
Be someone who believes He can do it
Yo glad your back kicking it I actually like this post
it raises awareness that things are easier if you have a roadmap
thanks that video was DOPE
.-= John Sullivan´s last blog ..Chris Brogan Trust Agent you are THAT GUY U GOOF =-.
Twitter: myblog2day
From the list, almost all of the things that my position requires, except for the customer service. I’m working as a Quantity Surveyor, I sit in the office and complete my tasks most of the time, I don’t have to meet any customer, but that would be useful in my personal life.
Teamwork and willing to learn is the most important for my position.
You did off for quite some times, how was your New Year Celebration John?
Best Regards,
Lee
Twitter: wchingya
Wouldn’t it be perfect if we get to possess all of these qualities?
Persistent and determination got me spent whole night working on the post. Perhaps we need to put in ‘good health’ so our insanity won’t overrun us. ha.. Have been awake for almost 24 hours, the mind is still fresh but I’ll need to go rest for awhile. 
Have a great day, John.
@wchingya
Social/Blogging Tracker
.-= Ching Ya´s last blog ..How To Autopost from Multiple Blogs To Your Facebook Fan Page =-.
Twitter: ShotOfCoffee
Going above and beyond what the next tanning salon would do, even if you’re not a big fan of the customer in front of you. That’s what we did back at Finish Line and that made our store stand out from the rest.
.-= Mike @DailyShotOfCoffee´s last blog ..N.O. Brew Storyville Mocha Review =-.
haha, insanity?! I have no doubt we have more crazy people in our midst.
.-= scheng1´s last blog ..What is blogging? =-.
John! that board is very true. I read it at corporate yesterday, and almost added a few to it haha. One was going to include my name
Twitter: extremejohn
@Kandra, you should have that’s how great things come together
@Extreme John,
lol i didn’t want to write on your stuff!
DEFINITELY something I can use in all aspects of life, although I do love the beginning disclaimer. lol
.-= Dennis Edell´s last blog ..Updates – Latest $10 Domain Winner, Latest Move News, and more. =-.
Twitter: extremejohn
@Dennis Edell, haha thanks Dennis
I guess “attention to detail” and “thinking outside of the box” are probably two terms that should be banned from our repertoires for just sounding annoying, but I otherwise might add them.
Not sure what the term for this concept is (maybe “understanding duality”?): I think its important to understand the two sides of concepts. For example, “efficiency” can be increased by reducing waste and/or increasing production. Sometimes splitting up concepts into dual components allows us to relate to the concepts in a different way. See, e.g., Ben Franklin’s famous quote “a penny saved is a penny earned” – whether you focus on saving, or focus on earning, both increase your bottom line.
.-= will@laser hair removal´s last blog ..Feel Great Naked: Marie Claire on the Naked Truth =-.
Twitter: extremejohn
@will@laser hair removal, thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, I appreciate it.
I like the “dual components” concept, I’m going to need to include that in one of my future discussions. Thank you.
Twitter: myblog2day
John, I don’t know whether you notice it or not, your main page PR dropped from PR4 to PR3. Too bad to see that, but if you don’t really care about PR, that doesn’t a big deal, as long as the traffic doesn’t drop.
Regards,
Lee
Twitter: extremejohn
@Lee Ka Hoong@Make Money Blogging, thank you Lee I noticed it and have a post planned for it, but can’t seem to break this not feeling like writing streak. As for the PR it’s all good the traffic keeps growing
Twitter: stilettosportsj
you have energy & cust service on there twice
But i agree, that they definitely need to be stressed!
I want to add:
1. Professionalism. Nothing irks me more than unprofessional behavior in the work place. Especially in front of clients. and going hand & hand with that….
2. Responsibility. Taking ownership & accountability
3. Give them the Pickle. aka, going the extra mile. Doing that little small thing extra that others don’t to make yourself, your service, business, relationship, etc really stand out and make others leave happy and remembering you.
4. Seeing the big picture. Which goes along with what Mike was saying too. Always looking ahead and thinking more than the other people.
5. Be PROactive instead of REactive. People tend to focus on the tasks at hand and don’t look 10 steps down the road. Then when a problem arises, it turns critical and people have to react. Obviously we can’t always predict the future but its like when you are driving— if you are constantly scanning and looking head around you, you are better prepared and more alert to and roadblocks in your way.
oy, never ask an organizational communications major & wrtier her thoughts on workplace stuff. She will babble for days….
.-= Stiletto Sports Jen´s last blog ..2010 BCS Championship: Texas vs. Albama Breakdown & My Pick =-.
Twitter: extremejohn
@Stiletto Sports Jen, the ability to PREact vs REacting is all the difference in successful management great point Jenn.
In addition to all that, my position requires me to pucker up: good customer service requires it. I do not mind it one bit, but is certainly easier when the customer realizes that his money for my services is an even trade, or as close as possible.
As far as your list, it sounds like you did your employee an invaluable service to enumerate these, as well as give motivation to achieve excellence.
.-= Keith@Norman Rockwell Art´s last blog ..Dec 30, Breaking Home Ties, Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post Cover from 9/25/1954 =-.
Twitter: extremejohn
@Keith@Norman Rockwell Art, great point Keith, puckering up is a key factor in excellent customer service.
Twitter: onesuite
These are all good requirement for every employee especially in customer related positions.
.-= MichaelR´s last blog ..All About the V Thing =-.
Twitter: extremejohn
@MichaelR, very true Michael.
That’s quite a lot of it!
.-= Car News and Reviews´s last blog ..New BMW 5 Series engines specifications at a glance =-.
Forget at work. These are skills that people should strive for in their every day normal life. Things would be much better for everyone if we all worked for stuff like this.
.-= Mike´s last blog ..You are annoying, time to die… =-.
Twitter: extremejohn
@Mike, very good point Mike. I guess we should add “Saying Please” and “Saying Thank you” to the list, a trip in to public quickly reminds me how little respect people have for one another.
Hi it was really cool video thanks for sharing it with us..
Twitter: Jen_Savasta
Great post John.
My job requires all the things you listed above and more. One of the most important things is learning to work together (teamwork as you mentioned). My job requires us all to work as a team. So if someone forgets about a certain task someone else better be there to back them up.
Efficiency and patience are not far behind. I find good listening skills and a smile get me a long way as well. Sometimes I write words down on a post it and stick it on my computer screen to remind me. In dealing with the general public it is something difficult to have patience and keep a smile on your face. The minute you lose the positive attitude the quicker your work suffers.
John,
I had a good laugh seeing energy and endless energy next to each other. This list actually reminds me a lot of the book by Dale Carnegie “How to influence people and make friends.” Strangely, the 27 things you listed here are right in line with the stuff from that book.
You could easily rename the list 27 things you need to be successful in life. I’d probably add in a sense of humor though
Nice brain dump.
.-= Blake @ Props Blog Reviews´s last blog ..Everything You Thought You Knew About SEO Is Wrong =-.
Think if you are able to/motivated to give 110% and have a positive attitude most of the rest will follow. Hard part is finding people who have the motivation to go the extra mile.
Twitter: extremejohn
No doubt about it Peter, and in some cases it seems almost impossible.
Those are the keys that leads to success.. Thanks for sharing this great ideas!
Sally Thompson´s last [type] ..walmart oil change
Twitter: extremejohn
Hi Sally thanks for reading and commenting.
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