Being on Time Matters
It is said time is relative. But, when it comes to business, it is not something you should ignore.
Business owners are busy. We all acknowledge that. And if your business succeeds theough appointments, such as retail service, you know it is imperative to have your clients show up on time. There are inevitable things that may stop you from being on time that are not within your control. Accidents backing up traffic, construction, weather events, nearly all unpredictable. But what is predictable is how we handle these situations.
For local meetings, try to time your meetings where you will arrive about ten to fifteen minutes beforehand. That should give you some ‘drive time’ in case of traffic delays. It also gives you time to ensure you have your materials in hand and are not rushing into a job site flustered, confused, or irritated. None of those make a good impression at a meeting.
If your meeting takes your farther out of town, you will want to navigate the route beforehand, preferably the evening before. This will give you time to review the map, make any necessary adjustments, and arrive on time. Checking the weather forecast is also a must, particularly if you are headed significantly out of your local area. You will want to be as prepared as possible for things that are not directly under your control. Including umbrellas and raincoats in your car can be a good practice. We carry an extra set of shoes, a rain jacket, and several umbrellas. In winter, we add an extra pair of gloves, a hat, and the coveted earmuffs.
If your business relies on clients to be on time, we often see penalties for cancellations less than a day away. You can also require a credit card be on hand and work with your credit card processor and your lawyer to determine if you can charge them for cancellations through a formal advertised cancellation policy. We often had this issue with the dog pool business, it was constant. Hard to manage your business when clients keep cancelling on you.
Time is of the essence, and nowhere is that more important than your business meetings. Try as best as possible to be on time by planning and being prepared. Life will always throw obstacles at you, but the more you prepare, the more efficient you can be at running your business and impressing your clients.
Be well.
