Be direct, be patient, but be persistent.
That’s what comes to mind when I think of this past week.
For the first time in a few weeks, I received some “tangible” news from the big auto manufacturer we’ve been dealing with.
I’ve been playing an internal game of push and wait, it’s been on my mind every day.
Big corporations don’t do business the way we do. The way many small businesses do.
They, so far, have treated me like a NOTHING-BURGER.
It doesn’t have to be this way! (that’s my inner soul speaking)
Are we a nothing-burger? To them, maybe. Nonetheless, we’re a valuable partner to our clients, and our clients are telling them to WAKE UP and give Fountain Forward the time it deserves.
The level of care is not what it’s like at Fountain Forward or my other companies.
It’s not even close.
Should I be surprised? I suppose not, considering I’ve had discussions with friends and family about corporate America for 20 years and have heard similar things.
But to experience it myself was necessary.
“Hey, I’ll get you an update by X date” – Factory Rep
Date passes, and I follow up..
OOO responder: “I will be out of the office for two weeks please reach out to X or Y person for help.” – Factory Rep
Do you realize that if I did that to my client, I would be fired? The very clients that YOU serve as well.
At first it got me a bit upset, and I must admit I still battle it. I know it’s nothing personal; I really do. I just expect better of people.
With that said, it’s a reminder that we’re doing things the right way, the Fountain Forward way, and that is a difference maker for us.
Excellence in communication, expectations, and execution.
The standard is the standard!
Amidst those responses we’ve received over this past week, we had two of our clients bark up the tree and make some serious progress.
In a two day period, we’ve gotten all the way to our final redline and could, or even should, be close to next steps.
It was late Friday afternoon, and I was still on phone calls with those two dealers as they called me, seeing how they could push even more.
One of the guys, based out of Maine, mentioned he had been working with me for years but had never been directly alongside me as I pushed and prodded to get something done.
“I must admit, you really want this. You’re fighting to get this done, and I’m more than impressed. I bet you run Fountain Forward the same way, and that makes me want to fight for you guys because I know you’re fighting for us. I’ve just never seen this side of you.”
That candor was very much appreciated from Aaron.
I give a lot of fucks. I want to be great for our team.
I’m excited to see where things go this week. Again, cautiously optimistic.
There’s a lot of work to be done this week. Amidst other things in my life, it’s Fountain Forward that consumes me.
Annual planning meetings, building our sales team, factory relationships, and much more.
There are plenty of obstacles in the way, and they’re pissing me off at times, but I’m happy to say I’m focused on allowing the universe to work in its perfect way once I recenter myself, of course.
I have a ton of work to do, and that’s what I’m focused on. I’m excited to plan for our future while appreciating where we’re at.
All the other projects going on are going to have to take a back seat this week (though we know that’s not completely true haha).
Great workouts, healthy eating, wonderful sleep, and a trip to Scottsdale on Wednesday to plan our future.
Chin up, shoulders back.
– SJ
PS: This weekend I was fortunate enough to spend time with my girlfriend and her family. I learned a lot about them and I was very happy to do so. I was treated to some wonderful food and also able to treat them to my favorite restaurant. I focused on the love her parents had for her and felt much of that love shared with me. I am glad I spent so much time with them. They’re good people and loving parents.