What a year is nearing its end.
I don’t want to dwell on what happened across so many domains, there is enough of that already.
Instead, I want to share a really small story that will drive a substantial part of how I go into the new year.
It was Christmas Eve (the main holiday here in Germany), 24 December. More precisely about 10 minutes before shops would close.
There had been a lot going on in the days before. Nothing really bad or overly dramatic, but enough to have kept me from completing my Christmas shopping. I was short one book for my wife.
Now, shopping books for my wife is a bit of a two-edged-sword for me. On the one hand it’s rather easy, she is interested in a lot of things. On the other hand, she is really into good fiction and a bit of a literary buff – and with me mostly reading non-fiction (that often tends to bore her to tears) that is a bit of a problematic proposition.
Luckily for me, help was literally a couple of doors away. A little independent book store, run by a family who we have known for almost 25 years. I went there, asked for help…and immediately got exactly ONE recommendation from the owner. It was done in about two minutes. I paid, we chatted for another two minutes and then both headed towards the Christmas break.
BTW – the book I went with is nowhere near the bestseller lists. It currently sits shortly below rank 600 or so on the list of best selling fiction. And it was a huge hit, my wife loved it.
Amazon had no chance. The larger chain-owned store one street over had no chance. I didn’t even think about going there. Not only for timing reasons, but particularly because of the specificity of the help I needed. Not AI, large-number-average assisted. No „if you liked this, you might like that“. Instead „I don’t know what she has read. But I know her personally. And she’ll love THIS“. Personal. Relevant. Human. A joy to interact with. Trusted. On point. Super helpful.
If we can do and become that for those we chose to work with and for, I believe we will always have a successful business and career. And enjoy what we do. And maybe help those we serve. All of which sounds good to me.
So that’ll be one focus of mine for the New Year. Seeing what I can do to become the closest equivalent possible of that little bookshop and its owners for my clients.
What about you?
Whatever is on your mind, I wish you a great start into the New Year. And only the very best for 2023.
Talk to you soon.
[shariff]