Simple but Powerful

Malcolm Gladwell is the author of The Tipping Point and Blink - two books I read when they came out and I loved them both.

I actually learned about The Tipping Point in a class I attended at the Expo several years ago [I'm speaking at the next one in May - hope you can be there!] and it was so good that I made it a point to continue to look out for his new books.

For Christmas this year I asked for his new book - Outliers – The Story of Success. And not surprisingly – I loved it!  The man is an incredible story teller, and he looks at things differently which makes you think about things differently – and I truly found the book fascinating.  So I decided to tell him.

I found his website online, went to the contact us page and sent him an email.  Told him I loved his book(s) and if he was ever in town I’d be happy to host him for dinner.  (My sister pointed out that Holden Caulfield from Catcher in the Rye said something to the effect of  “you know you’ve read a good book when you want to have dinner with the author.” I do love J.D. Salinger so I decided I keep good company.)

And not too long afterwards – he wrote back.  He hit reply – he wrote back.  He said thanks for taking the time to write – I appreciate it.   That was it.  And it knocked my socks off.

I immediately forwarded it to all of my family and told them that I want Malcolm to be my new best friend.

So that’s it.  Simple but Powerful.  All the man did was reply graciously to an email.

Think about what’s going on in your life.  Who has been in touch with you that you haven’t gotten back in touch with?  What potential client called and you didn’t return the call?  Who sent an email – maybe even a potential client- and somehow you let it slip through the cracks?

I talk to a lot of designers and when I ask them about this – getting back in touch with people who they have let slip through the cracks – they often say it is too late, too much time has gone by and they missed the chance.

Personally, I don’t believe there is any such thing as  “only having one chance to do something right.” I think there are lots and lots and lots of chances, new ones every day, and no matter how long ago the contact was made - you can STILL get back in touch. As always- simply be truthful.  Try “I don’t know how this slipped through the cracks.  Are you still in need of some help with your design project?  If so – I’d love to speak with you.  If not, good luck with your project and hope it turns out great.”

It is these simple yet powerful things that really make a difference for people – it is why they remember you later.

What simple thing have you done lately?  Tell me about it below – I’d love to know. I’d also love to know if any of you now take the opportunity to get in touch with someone you let fall through the cracks – leave your comment below!

Here’s to Designing Your Success,

-Mary Larsen

PS – If you read last week’s blog you know I am a fan of Art Sobczak – well, he and I are on the same wavelength again!  Check out is story about “doing the little things” - Low-Tech, high touch for Big impact.