A Rusty Fan Pushing Hot Air!
The other day I was sitting in front of my computer with only my fan on. Since I was working from my office at home in this tropical heat wave we have had these last few weeks, it has been an uncomfortable working environment. So I changed the fan mode to high but I realized I was just getting hot air and bringing the speed up only accelerated the path of hot air. So after using my fan, and feeling as I was in a portable sauna, I decided to turn the A/C. I rarely do this since we live close enough to the ocean to get a decent breeze and save on the costs of energy on the A/C.
This hot air was a sign indicating that I needed to move over to option b the Air Conditioner.
How many times do people push hot air through many situations and expect a cool outcome on the other side?
I have been in many situations where they hire someone who is not up to par with the requirements but they expect good results from them. Over time the situation gets worse and the client can’t figure out why the person did not perform. The same happens with some software. If you put bad data in you are going to get bad data out. There is no way that if you enter the wrong numbers or input to a database you will get precise results at the end.
This last year I have been dealing with many situations where a client has requested a solution that will bring them a comfortable outcome (let’s say I am the A/C). But the client has opted to go for someone who is pushing hot air ( “let’s say my competitor is a dirty fan”). So when I step up to the plate with what I propose, I end up selling them a completely different product than what my competitor is selling them. The only issue is that they want to receive a cooling effect to the issue and I am offering it. My competitor to win the bid is offering a fan which is old and rusty and can only push hot air.
In the long run I have to say the Rusty Fan is winning most of the time in the short term but long term my client ends up feeling the heat and never receives the cooling sensation of a problem being solved.
For some reason in Tropical Island it is very easy for people blow hot air (since it is accesible year round).
Are you as a customer looking for a solid solution or for people to blow hot air your way and up in having to start from scratch.
photo credit by takomabibelot
Love your metaphor. Some leaders commit the mistake of wanting to stick to their way, even if it’s a way that’s evidently damaging their business. For various reasons: fear of the new, stubbornness, sometimes even loyalty (“we will stick with this partner even if he’s not the best available”).
A real leader knows when to admit a mistake, adapt and turn the tables.
Yes sadly in the environment I am around in too many occasions that is the case. They call it loyalty but I really think that there is a factor of loyalty that has to do with how you perform on both sides.
If you are by someone side and call yourself loyal but are not producing any benefits for that person and just thinking of your own self how loyal are you really.
I have to agree a real leader is always willing to admit a mistake and take appropriate action over it.
Great point Raul. I think most people want quick results, so they look for the first thing that apears to solve their problem. Your job as a businesses owner is to educate and show prospective customers that there is another way.
I have to agree it is a difficult task to handle. Same reason why not many people can sign up for it of educating people in the other ways of doing things. Thanks for stopping by!
Very cool comparison. I think you make a good point here Raul. I’d choose the thorough person any day, provided I really knew they were thorough!
Ryan,
Thanks for the compliments. I am just like you… I guess being in the military also makes you incline to that answer. 🙂
U r right. That’s why there’s a lot of room
For good companies share the market.
Yes. I agree!
Hot air is what comes everyday out of the mouths of politicians who say they are bringing something new while keeping old practices. Sorry for inserting politics in to the issue.
Bringing fresh ideas as you do requires a little more effort but it pays. Turning on the A/C may have risen up the electrical bill a little but it was well worth it if a new idea emerged form a cool environment.
I think the problem is that the Electrical Bill got raised and the A/C did not have the capacity!