Opportunities...Overlooked

By Sid Chadwick, Chadwick Consulting, Inc. – 03/20/2025

Published in American Printer : “Sid discusses that customer education in our industry is not just an opportunity but a responsibility. Most customers only know what they buy, not what we're truly capable of offering. By embracing the opportunity to educate, we can elevate their success, strengthen relationships, and make a lasting impact. Read Sid's article now..”

“Life is not about the physical things we can accumulate – but rather the positive impact we can have on the lives of others.”……Mathew Selby, Attorney (at his Father’s Memorial Service)

INTRODUCTION: 

Who….Most Impacted Your Life….?

Have you ever pondered, “Whose life am I impacting…?”

“What can I improve…?”

“Who is coming behind me…?”

“What example am I setting – for others to see, and (silently) evaluate…that I don’t know who sees what I’m doing/not doing…?”

Note:  There are different ways…to impact lives…  and lessons learned.

In a “previous life,” I was a Scout Master for about a decade, for a special group of young men. Whenever we went on a camping trip, which was about every 6 weeks (rain or shine, snow or blistering hot weather – our internal promise to these young men – Every 6 Weeks…!).

Every scout was required to bring a plastic garbage bag. And whatever trash we found on a mountain trail, or stream, or campsite (no matter how small, such as a cigarette butt), we required ourselves to “pick-it-up” – and put it in that trash bag.

Not surprisingly, every camping trip saw us returning home, Sunday afternoon, with multiple trash bags – full of trash.

It was my observation that there was disgust in these young scouts – at the lack of consideration – left by others – in the trash that had been discarded.

It was also my observation, and opinion, that I never saw any of these young men – casually discard – even the smallest piece of trash – imaginable…. Ever.

SUMMARY: 

Each of us is leaving a legacy…by what we do…and don’t do.

For our great industry, there’s no way to measure the impact on our communities  – on others, that our companies can have….that we, individually can have…through: 

• Sharing what we do…and know how to do.

• Explaining how to use our capabilities…to improve communications between people….between groups of people…and our customers’ business performance results.

In previous years in our great industry, “Customer Education” – of what a company can do for its customers – was once recognized as a privilege – and opportunity – to improve a customer’s performance.

Your customers only know what they buy from you…and most likely… don’t have a clue…of what you could do….that they need… .

“I am not a product of my circumstances…. I am a product of my decisions.”…..Stephen Covey