Details Matter (more than ever)

This article originally appeared as a blog post on https://brianmillerspeaks.com/blog

I’m on a hotel-themed blog kick lately (see Gold Elite Status & Seeking Validation). Here’s another gem, short and sweet, from a recent trip:

I got back to the hotel around 11pm after giving a late speech, in a small town where they roll the sidewalks up at 9:00. I was hungry, but everything was closed except for fast food (bleh) and one pizza place. I only knew about the pizza place because they had a stack of brochures near the check-in desk. Smart.

“Perfect,” I thought, flipping through the pages. “I’ll order a meatball hoagie to be delivered.”

I was about to turn the brochure back to the cover for the phone number, but I didn’t have to. They had the number on every single page in big, bold, impossible-to-miss print. Super smart.

As I started to dial the number, however, I realized something was wrong. There weren’t enough numbers. In fact, they had neglected to include the area code.

It’s a hotel. Everyone is from out of town.

I had to Google the name of the restaurant, including the town and state, to find their number so I could order my sub and calm my vocal stomach.

Had there been even one other menu out I wouldn’t have bothered. I would have simply called a different restaurant. Food was food at that point, and even an extra minute was a nuisance.

Details Matter

We now live in a world of virtually unlimited choices. Our attention spans have shortened to the length of a goldfish. Everything is on-demand. In that world you cannot afford to put any obstacles between your work and whoever it is intended for.

Whether you are a working professional, entrepreneur, or student, please treat your work like it is being scrutinized. Because it is.

You can do almost everything right, like being the only local restaurant open after 9pm, striking a deal with area hotels, printing brochures, leaving them stacked in an easy-to-find location, and printing your number in giant, bold print on every page. But one little oversight like forgetting the area code might be enough to cost you a customer. And if it can cost you one, it could cost you thousands over time.

Stay diligent.

Brian Miller is globetrotting magician turned author & speaker who works with organizations, students, and educators who want to create an environment where everyone feels heard, understood, and valued.

He is the creator and host of One New Person, a bi-weekly interview-based podcast that reminds us every interaction is meaningful, and every person we meet is important.

Brian’s book Three New People is a plea for humanity in a divisive world, and how-to guide to connect with anyone, strengthen your relationships, and build a sustainable career. He is most known for his TEDx talk “How to Magically Connect with Anyone”, which has been seen and shared by 3 million people worldwide.

Visit BrianMillerSpeaks.com to sign up for the weekly blog and receive a handful of valuable resources including "Meet Your Three: 7 Ways to Open a Conversation with Anyone."