Real-Life Decision Making -- Solution
You decline the job.
After mulling over the extra time you'd need and the lack of qualified
staff, you decide not to take the job. The week has been extra hectic for
you. What's more, you've never outsourced staff before, and you're
afraid you won't be able to judge the quality of the employees on such short
notice.
You inform the client that you will not be able to fulfill his request.
Unfortunately, it turns out that this client does business with many other
companies in the database field. Word gets around that your business cannot
be counted on to pull off a job on a tight deadline. Hence, you lose customers
based on word of mouth.
Another data entry company -- a competitor of yours -- takes the last-minute
job and finishes it in record time and with the highest degree of quality.
Cooper and Sons gives them a sparkling review and recommendation, which is
now prominently displayed in their brochures and advertising.
What's more, your competitor lands a long-term contract with Cooper and
Sons to provide permanent data entry assistance worth a large amount of money.
Had you taken on the last-minute job, your company may have benefited in the
same way. Instead, you've lost respect in the business community and cut yourself
out of a possible long-term, lucrative contract.
You realize that some business decisions are made on a moment's notice.
The ability to "roll with the punches" is a valuable trait.
"You can't be selfish in this business," says Jeannette Marshall. She owns
a data entry firm. "You have to just bite the bullet and just do it."