Are you in business? Or just doing business!

(c) 2002 Michael LaPointe
    HorizonNet Communications

Does this sound like a stupid question? It truly isn't. 

Anyone can "do" business. It's just going thru the 
motions.

But to be "in" business you need to truly work at your 
trade and service your customers.

Here is a short story.

I once received a quote request for a dedicated line. 
The equipment used usually connected via an ISDN line. 
The line was also to be used 24/7.

This is very costly. ISDN is billed per minute. 

By taking the time to go to the equipment 
manufacturers website and reading about it I learned 
that it possessed a v.35 port.

I know that this will connect to a router and hence 
can use a fixed cost data line.

I was the only consultant to suggest this to the 
customer.

Why is this important? 

I set my self apart from the rest of the crowd.

Do you stand out in the crowd? 
Do you know or continue to learn about your
business every day?

There are lots of competitors with the same
products or services that you have for 
just as good a rate.

With this competition you need to stand out.

And how do I do that You ask? 

By offering better service than the next 
person. It's this extra effort that will tell your 
customer that you are better than the others and 
they will want to do business with *you*.

Anybody can do business and get by.

Only the serious and committed are in business 
and excelling.

So I ask again. Are you in business? 
Or just doing business!

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About the Author:

Michael LaPointe Founder of HorizonNet Communications
is an entrepreneur participating in the local and 
internet business scene since 1996. 
contact: mike@allLongdistance.com
http://www.allLongdistance.com