The United States celebrates its independence this July 4th. Thomas Jefferson, the third US president, and main author of the Declaration of Independence has also shared some thoughts that can directly improve the way you do business.
Get to Work
Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.
Improving your business requires that you don’t get stuck in a routine or rut. If you get too comfortable, odds are that you can improve something that would help your customers and drive your business forward.
I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.
Your business can’t rely on luck to be successful. Be an individual and company that creates its own luck through hard work.
When to be Late
Delay is preferable to error
Jefferson speaks here of the trade off between accuracy and timeliness. If you need to slow down a little to guarantee accuracy in your fulfillment, go for it. Take this opportunity to refine your process to ensure timely fulfillment of your customers’ orders.
Stick to Your Values
In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.
The core of your company shouldn’t change with the whims of the day. Naturally, you’ll need to shift some practices or strategies to adjust to your customer segments but don’t sell yourself short by giving up your core principles for any short-term gains.
Financial Responsibility
Never spend your money before you have earned it.
This is a beneficial principle to employ in both your business and your personal affairs. If your cash flow can fund your day-to-day operations, you won’t have to worry about debts to others and the associated restrictions that brings.
Happy Independence Day!
Thomas Jefferson quotes courtesy of Brainy Quote.