Actual text messages from clients [Ch.1]

Have you ever received a message from a customer or client that puts a huge smile on your face because it shows they truly understand your mission, vision and values? Well, recently I received that kind of message from one of the amazing business owners I partner with in the manufacturing industry. 

We had recently begun work on a large project focused on operational efficiencies, culture and cohesion and planned to schedule some time off-site, outside of the 9-5, so that we could speak candidly and also invite Cory's wife Jess to join us.

Later that week I received an invitation to dinner from Cory and Jess. The message went like this:

I thought it was awesome, and I'll tell you why. 

Cory is a great client because he knows how I work and he appreciates that I will never shy away from pushing him outside his comfort zone to do better for his business. What he means by me sucking the lifeblood out of small business owners is that I force them to stop focusing on getting through the day and, instead, broaden their perspective to include untapped markets and future opportunities and challenges. 

I engage my clients in a collaborative process that forces them to ask really tough questions about why particular parts of their business are not thriving or why their team members just don't work like they used to. Like Cory, I hope all my clients recognize that I refuse to let them do what's "good enough" when the best-possible outcomes are attainable through another means. 

Yeah ok, I'll admit it, I bust some *insert a gender neutral term for you know what here*. But, I don't do it for my benefit. I do it because when you're ingrained in the day-to-day operations of your business, you can't see what the heck is going on around you that's compromising your sales, team morale or brand. 

If I am the inhaler of souls because I demand my clients give me the information and agency I need to properly boost their businesses, then so be it - I'll be GD Hoover vac of soul suckers to protect the sustainability, integrity and success of the people I work with. 

If you aren't intimidated by a partner in crime who's going to push your buttons in the best interests of your business, then give this vertically-inclined vampire a shout and let's get weird (and, more often than not, totally awesome). 

[see my response to Cory -and most frequently used emojis below]