Just Because Your Dog Poops in the Street Doesn't Mean You Don't Have to Clean it Up!

​Most people who walk their dogs always have a poop bag with them. Wherever your dog does his/her business, you respect your neighbors and pick it up. However, now and then there's one fool who thinks if the dog poops in the street, it's no big deal and we've got one of those in our neighborhood.

Well, the analogy of pet owners and poop got me thinking about business owners and how, instead of taking responsibility for the problem, point the finger the other way. If it's not their fault then why try and fix it?

Here are some typical scenarios:

• A client contacted you via email. You saw the correspondence but never replied. Now they're upset to have not heard from you and in an attempt to dodge the problem your spam filter gets blamed.
• You were already booked on the date a potential client asked you about, but you promised them a referral. Weeks later you find out the photographer you contacted about them never followed up. 
• Business has been slow, but you blame the challenges on the competition, customer trends and some less than ethical competitors.

Well, let's solve all three scenarios, with or without a poop bag!

• These days blaming your spam filter on anything is the equivalent of the dog ate my term paper. Spam filters do create a problem but get in the habit of a fast run-through every day - before you delete everything.
• You contacted another photographer and gave them a referral - so, it's still your client, and you have the potential for so much goodwill. All it takes is a phone call a day or two later to find out if they heard from the photographer you suggested, and if not follow up.
• There are obviously times when business is slow, and the problem is outside your control, but it's rare there isn't something proactive you can do. Take responsibility for your business and marketing - it's the face in the mirror each morning that has the responsibility to be creative and look for help when there's a problem.

It's only a little rant this morning, but the comparison between photographers who blame every challenge on somebody or something else fits right in with people who don't pick up after their pets! 

Responsibility finds a way. Irresponsibility makes excuses.
Gene Bedley

Photo Credit: Cantrell Portrait Design