Page 76 - 100 Great Business Ideas: From Leading Companies Around the World (100 Great Ideas)

Quick Ideas 53 to 54

Epilogue
People become what they see of themselves in their mind’s
eye. When you lift them up and put them on a pedestal, they
will perform to that level.

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The C-Y-A Factor

More than one sales rep knows the agony of defeat. Some-
times defeat comes from failing to get permission before taking
an action, which can result in anything from a small dose of
criticism to a big dose of being fired. Adopt the rule of When in
Doubt, Check it Out. Get permission before you proceed on
anything that might backfire on you later!

An advertising agency

recently placed an ad for Assignment
Wal-Mart on the west coast

without running it by Wal- Make it a rule that if

Mart Management first. It your gut reaction gives you

was very out of style with any concern, you will make

what Wal-Mart would typi- time to check it out. You may

cally do, and customers and even want the customer to

prospects alike were in- initial or sign off on what

sulted. Ultimately the you’re about to do so you can

agency was fired and lost C-Y-A (Cover Your...)

a very lucrative account. If

they had gotten that ad cleared with Wal-Mart management,

even on a local level, they probably would still have that ac-

count. Unfortunately, they’re now out doing a great deal of

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