The Small Details | Pawn Leaders
I hated my previous office!
Yes, I understand that this isn't the usual approach to start a blog post. But allow me to explain why I loathed that place.
Reason #1: The building management did not clean the bathrooms well.
Reason #2: My heater was always broken.
Reason #3: The common areas were just a mess!
Reason #4: The soap dispenser was always broken, too.
Reason #5: They always ran out of towels in the bathroom.
In short, the management just did not care about the building.
Then I realized it was beginning to cause me a lot of frustration. All of those factors I mentioned above started creating anger and resentment. I was upset and pissed off! And all I wanted to do was get out of that space because they weren't taking the time to care for the "small" details.
So what did I do?
I essentially broke my lease, and I scored an even better location.
Then I thought of all the pawnshops I visited in my life, and I've seen many things.
Here's the #truthbomb: We overlook the "small" things because we're so busy.
I've been to pawnshops where the microwave doesn't work, and the oven toasters were horrible! There were shops where bathrooms were gross, the gold testers weren't working, and the computer monitor was ancient…
These things cause frustrations in your team and yourself as well!
Imagine working in a place where things are broken, and you're always trying to create new ways of doing things because things are not getting fixed.
Another #truthbomb: You might be losing incredible team members because you're not looking at the small stuff.
Your team might have been telling you about the things which aren't working in your store, but you weren't paying attention. Or they might not be telling you because they're afraid to do so. For example, they've previously informed you about the issues that needed to be addressed, but they stopped telling you because you haven't taken action.
Do you realize what you're causing to your team? IMMENSE FRUSTRATION.
A lot of the time, the small details make the biggest impact. This is definitely true in the world of business. However, when it comes to things like workplace culture, leadership, and being more intentional, the small details can really affect employees' welfare, efficiency, and motivation.
So, here's a challenge for you!
I want you to look at
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what's not working;
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what's broken; and
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what needs to be replaced.
And then do what NEEDS to be done.
Take a look at what isn't working and needs to be replaced so that when you do improve it, your staff's conditions will improve, and then sales, pawn balance, and customer service will all benefit.
I was pissed off with my previous workplace for a year and a half. But now, every time I walk into my new office, I'm elated. Then, I walk into the bathroom, and it's clean!
And that's what I want for you and your team.
Yigal Adato
Yigal is a 3rd generation pawn broker, and is now a mentor, coach and educator with the pawnbroking industry.
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