Attention to Detail

What separates the good from the great? Details. As a competitive martial artist I have noticed how the smallest of details differentiate first place from not just second or third place, but eleventh or twelfth. It is the same in the business world. The only difference with business compared to martial arts, however, is instead of there being about twenty-five competitors in the same event, you now have thousands of competitors who are all fighting to be the market leader in YOUR niche.

As a martial artist you are expected to prepare and train tenaciously to be ready to compete in every event you can, especially if there's a handsome prize for winning. Same with business. You must thoroughly prepare by raising enough capital, creating detailed marketing plans, having a well-trained staff, and so forth. Is that all that is required? Even after you have launched your business, you must pay close attention to detail on every level. One suggestion is to carry with you a small, pocket-sized notebook. I carry one on me, mostly to write ideas that come to me during the day and I forget, but also to take notes.

Richard Branson, Founder and CEO of Virgin, does precisely as I just suggested. Here's a sample of the notes he took from a Virgin Atlantic flight years ago: "Dirty carpets. Fluff. Areas around bow dirty. Equipment: stainless steel, grotty. Choice of menu disappointing -- back from Miami, prawns then lobster (as a main course) in Upper Class. Chicken curry very bland. Chicken should be cut in chunks. Rice pretty dry. No Stilton available on cheeseboard." And his final and most shocking note, "Staff desperate for someone to listen. Make sure flight staff reports are actioned IMMEDIATELY."

Are the little things in your business setting you apart for better or for worse? Just like a handsome reward is waiting for the best martial artist in every tournament, so is a handsome reward awaiting the best entrepreneur.