It Just Takes One

You’re in business – you have competitors. They make a similar product, similar price – how can you separate? How about great service, great follow-up, great pro-activity? How about attracting the non-fans through acknowledging the other service as a solid competitor?

People watch; take notes, mental and physical. People remember. They remember how you work; how you react; how you talk. Professionalism is more than just being professional to the person directly in front of you; it also means being professional about who’s around you.

People watch; take notes. It just takes one note to start a book on your approach. Want to be a bestseller or a bargain-bin leftover?

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51 Responses to It Just Takes One
  1. AllThingsM
    November 2, 2009 | 1:22 am

    It Just Takes One http://bit.ly/4DKYOd

  2. AllThingsM
    November 2, 2009 | 1:22 am

    It Just Takes One http://bit.ly/4DKYOd

  3. bloggingtweets
    November 2, 2009 | 1:40 am

    New @dannybrown: It Just Takes One http://bit.ly/3LFh2F

  4. bloggingtweets
    November 2, 2009 | 1:40 am

    New @dannybrown: It Just Takes One http://bit.ly/3LFh2F

  5. socialmediajs
    November 2, 2009 | 2:26 am

    It Just Takes One http://bit.ly/1dOAf6 #news #socialmedia

  6. socialmediajs
    November 2, 2009 | 2:26 am

    It Just Takes One http://bit.ly/1dOAf6 #news #socialmedia

  7. sfsmjobshoot
    November 2, 2009 | 2:27 am

    It Just Takes One http://bit.ly/uwNaz #news #socialmedia

  8. sfsmjobshoot
    November 2, 2009 | 2:27 am

    It Just Takes One http://bit.ly/uwNaz #news #socialmedia

  9. WalesSMjobs
    November 2, 2009 | 2:50 am

    It Just Takes One http://tinyurl.com/yapzwht #socialmedia #news

  10. WalesSMjobs
    November 2, 2009 | 2:50 am

    It Just Takes One http://tinyurl.com/yapzwht #socialmedia #news

  11. juliewalraven
    November 2, 2009 | 8:34 am

    Good point, Danny, on multiple fronts!

    As a career professional, I teach networking to my clients, including how to use the tools that you and I use in social media, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. I often coach young people to be aware of who is watching. In this day and age, your digital footprint lasts forever and can be hard to overcome.

    Secondly, I think of how hard it is for many of us to keep up. I think that underpromising and overdelivering have to be part of your plan. For me, I want to help so I say yes, and then I am buried in paperwork, deadlines, etc. People watch that too.

  12. juliewalraven
    November 2, 2009 | 8:34 am

    Good point, Danny, on multiple fronts!

    As a career professional, I teach networking to my clients, including how to use the tools that you and I use in social media, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. I often coach young people to be aware of who is watching. In this day and age, your digital footprint lasts forever and can be hard to overcome.

    Secondly, I think of how hard it is for many of us to keep up. I think that underpromising and overdelivering have to be part of your plan. For me, I want to help so I say yes, and then I am buried in paperwork, deadlines, etc. People watch that too.

  13. mossgreenchildrensbooks
    November 2, 2009 | 8:52 am

    Oh so right…….On a similar vein

    Early in my working life I was told about the concept of the silent vote at work. This worked well for me and helped me make more good decisions than bad decisions.

    The silent vote is taken by those around you and in front of you. Everyone is watching and judging your words, decisions and actions. They give you a “Thumbs up,” “Horizontal thumb” or a “Thumbs down.” Silently and with out you knowing about it.

    The accumulation of votes over a period is how you are perceived.

    Before, you act of decide on something mentally check your decision against the silent vote. If you are going to get a Thumbs down then you need to be very sure that you are taking the right decision and have a strong supporting rational that can be understood even if not appreciated.

  14. mossgreenchildrensbooks
    November 2, 2009 | 8:52 am

    Oh so right…….On a similar vein

    Early in my working life I was told about the concept of the silent vote at work. This worked well for me and helped me make more good decisions than bad decisions.

    The silent vote is taken by those around you and in front of you. Everyone is watching and judging your words, decisions and actions. They give you a “Thumbs up,” “Horizontal thumb” or a “Thumbs down.” Silently and with out you knowing about it.

    The accumulation of votes over a period is how you are perceived.

    Before, you act of decide on something mentally check your decision against the silent vote. If you are going to get a Thumbs down then you need to be very sure that you are taking the right decision and have a strong supporting rational that can be understood even if not appreciated.

  15. gacconsultants
    November 2, 2009 | 9:20 am

    RT @DannyBrown It Just Takes One http://bit.ly/4d3JRe

  16. gacconsultants
    November 2, 2009 | 9:20 am

    RT @DannyBrown It Just Takes One http://bit.ly/4d3JRe

  17. Allen Mireles
    November 2, 2009 | 9:39 am

    Excellent post, Danny. Short and to the point. Good reminders for all of us.

  18. Allen Mireles
    November 2, 2009 | 9:39 am

    Excellent post, Danny. Short and to the point. Good reminders for all of us.

  19. FrankReed
    November 2, 2009 | 10:38 am

    Hey Danny -

    Ouch that bargain bin leftover image was tough.I think next year I will be that for Halloween. How easy it is to forget that there are more people watching and taking in our activities then we ever imagined. I would hate to think how many folks I have turned off with some of my antics.

    Be vigilant or be forgotten (or even worse, talked about in a negative way).

    Thanks and have a great day.

  20. FrankReed
    November 2, 2009 | 10:38 am

    Hey Danny -

    Ouch that bargain bin leftover image was tough.I think next year I will be that for Halloween. How easy it is to forget that there are more people watching and taking in our activities then we ever imagined. I would hate to think how many folks I have turned off with some of my antics.

    Be vigilant or be forgotten (or even worse, talked about in a negative way).

    Thanks and have a great day.

  21. Jimconnolly
    November 2, 2009 | 12:35 pm

    Another great post from @DannyBrown It Just Takes One http://bit.ly/4d3JRe

  22. Jimconnolly
    November 2, 2009 | 12:35 pm

    Another great post from @DannyBrown It Just Takes One http://bit.ly/4d3JRe

  23. GrantGriffiths
    November 2, 2009 | 12:44 pm

    Great post from @dannybrown – It Just Takes One – http://bit.ly/1uit7n

  24. GrantGriffiths
    November 2, 2009 | 12:44 pm

    Great post from @dannybrown – It Just Takes One – http://bit.ly/1uit7n

  25. juliewalraven
    November 2, 2009 | 8:34 am

    Good point, Danny, on multiple fronts!

    As a career professional, I teach networking to my clients, including how to use the tools that you and I use in social media, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. I often coach young people to be aware of who is watching. In this day and age, your digital footprint lasts forever and can be hard to overcome.

    Secondly, I think of how hard it is for many of us to keep up. I think that underpromising and overdelivering have to be part of your plan. For me, I want to help so I say yes, and then I am buried in paperwork, deadlines, etc. People watch that too.

  26. mossgreenchildrensbooks
    November 2, 2009 | 8:52 am

    Oh so right…….On a similar vein

    Early in my working life I was told about the concept of the silent vote at work. This worked well for me and helped me make more good decisions than bad decisions.

    The silent vote is taken by those around you and in front of you. Everyone is watching and judging your words, decisions and actions. They give you a “Thumbs up,” “Horizontal thumb” or a “Thumbs down.” Silently and with out you knowing about it.

    The accumulation of votes over a period is how you are perceived.

    Before, you act of decide on something mentally check your decision against the silent vote. If you are going to get a Thumbs down then you need to be very sure that you are taking the right decision and have a strong supporting rational that can be understood even if not appreciated.

  27. Allen Mireles
    November 2, 2009 | 9:39 am

    Excellent post, Danny. Short and to the point. Good reminders for all of us.

  28. rachelvelarde
    November 2, 2009 | 2:45 pm

    It Just Takes One http://ff.im/-aSPuV

  29. rachelvelarde
    November 2, 2009 | 2:45 pm

    It Just Takes One http://ff.im/-aSPuV

  30. FrankReed
    Twitter:
    November 2, 2009 | 10:38 am

    Hey Danny -

    Ouch that bargain bin leftover image was tough.I think next year I will be that for Halloween. How easy it is to forget that there are more people watching and taking in our activities then we ever imagined. I would hate to think how many folks I have turned off with some of my antics.

    Be vigilant or be forgotten (or even worse, talked about in a negative way).

    Thanks and have a great day.

  31. Teresa Basich
    November 2, 2009 | 5:53 pm

    I immediately thought of Southwest Airlines when I read this post — they're SO responsive to their customers, and their competitor's customers, and they understand that's a big differentiating point for them.

    Knowing what makes you good and what makes your competitors good positions you to fill the right niche and talk to the right people. And being honest about what you offer and referring customers to competitors when you don't offer what they need builds trust and loyalty. Can't get much better than that!

    Short and sweet. Nice post, Danny.

  32. JamesAWoods
    November 2, 2009 | 11:59 pm

    Great advice from @DannyBrown for both business peeps and writers — http://bit.ly/nroS6

  33. JamesAWoods
    November 2, 2009 | 11:59 pm

    Great advice from @DannyBrown for both business peeps and writers — http://bit.ly/nroS6

  34. Jfavreau
    November 3, 2009 | 1:09 am

    RT @DannyBrown It Just Takes One http://bit.ly/4d3JRe

  35. Jfavreau
    November 3, 2009 | 1:09 am

    RT @DannyBrown It Just Takes One http://bit.ly/4d3JRe

  36. Danny Brown
    November 3, 2009 | 9:48 am

    Love the idea of a “silent vote” – now if only more companies and people would latch onto that fact!

  37. Danny Brown
    November 3, 2009 | 9:48 am

    Love the idea of a “silent vote” – now if only more companies and people would latch onto that fact!

  38. Danny Brown
    November 3, 2009 | 9:50 am

    Southwest are a great example, Teresa. Too many companies seem to ignore the opportunities that are around them by concentrating solely on their own ship. While you need to do that, you also need to be aware of opportunities if you really want to grow. Get your house in order and folks will soon start looking towards you more.

  39. Danny Brown
    November 3, 2009 | 9:50 am

    Southwest are a great example, Teresa. Too many companies seem to ignore the opportunities that are around them by concentrating solely on their own ship. While you need to do that, you also need to be aware of opportunities if you really want to grow. Get your house in order and folks will soon start looking towards you more.

  40. timjahn
    November 3, 2009 | 11:50 am

    Want to be a bestseller or a bargain-bin leftover? @DannyBrown is asking: http://bit.ly/nroS6

  41. timjahn
    November 3, 2009 | 11:50 am

    Want to be a bestseller or a bargain-bin leftover? @DannyBrown is asking: http://bit.ly/nroS6

  42. atlassoft
    November 3, 2009 | 1:55 pm

    So true about Social Networking and the way you interact with people http://ow.ly/yTnt

  43. atlassoft
    November 3, 2009 | 1:55 pm

    So true about Social Networking and the way you interact with people http://ow.ly/yTnt

  44. Danny Brown
    November 3, 2009 | 9:47 am

    Agreed, Julie – it'd easy to just concentrate on the digital component, but there are still plenty of eyes looking towards you offline as well.

  45. Danny Brown
    November 3, 2009 | 9:48 am

    Love the idea of a “silent vote” – now if only more companies and people would latch onto that fact!

  46. Danny Brown
    November 3, 2009 | 9:50 am

    Southwest are a great example, Teresa. Too many companies seem to ignore the opportunities that are around them by concentrating solely on their own ship. While you need to do that, you also need to be aware of opportunities if you really want to grow. Get your house in order and folks will soon start looking towards you more.

  47. drewmaniac
    November 3, 2009 | 11:19 pm

    It Just Takes One – http://bit.ly/nroS6 – @DannyBrown wants you to people watch to gain an edge over your competitor.

  48. drewmaniac
    November 3, 2009 | 11:19 pm

    It Just Takes One – http://bit.ly/nroS6 – @DannyBrown wants you to people watch to gain an edge over your competitor.

  49. hannah trinity, web designer
    November 5, 2009 | 10:31 am

    A very short post but very direct. Nice post.

  50. hannah trinity, web designer
    November 5, 2009 | 10:31 am

    A very short post but very direct. Nice post.

  51. hannah trinity, web designer
    November 5, 2009 | 10:31 am

    A very short post but very direct. Nice post.

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