At Power2Switch, we all learned a ton this year as we were growing the company and trying to locate -- and secure -- our place in the market. There’s surprisingly a lot involved with helping people save money on electricity! So, we gathered together some insights from everyone on our team to share with you as we catapult (in a hopefully somewhat controlled manner) into 2012! Happy New Year, All!
- There is something organic and beautiful about taking an idea and making it tangible.
- Try new things. You can learn a lot from failure.
- Listen closely to your customers. Ask them questions. Apply their feedback to your work. They’ll thank you for it.
- Great IT people can transform your business.
- Figure out what your best skills are. Focus on those. Rely on those around you to fill in the rest.
- Ask for help from people who know more than you. People like to share their knowledge. Thank them, profusely.
- Be transparent. Answer the question before it is asked. Honesty has nothing to hide.
- Babies and dogs always go over well.
- The world can always use more humor — don’t be afraid to show it in your work.
- Follow your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it.
- Don’t nickel and dime people. Wrap small costs into your offer price.
- Hire wisely and carefully. Skills are important, but make sure you like one another, too. An amazing dynamic can be achieved with the right team.
- Loving your job can in fact make the rest of your life better.
- There’s a beauty in struggling. Revel in that time. People tend to value things more that don’t come easily.
- Show your face. Have an identity. People like to know who they’re working with.
- It’s all about the relationship you develop with people (teammates, customers, investors).
- Sweat the small stuff. It matters to the people you’re trying to serve.
- Never settle for ‘good enough.’
- Have a plan. And then enjoy the journey as that plan (most definitely) changes.
- Design and a good user experience can be a distinct competitive advantage.
- “Work” can be incredibly fun and fulfilling when you’re a part of a small team of smart, hard-working people.
- As much as we like each other, it won’t matter a bit if we don’t figure this thing out.
- Geospatial data is awesome, and you should be loath to do another project without a strong GIS component.
- While honesty may cost you an occasional customer, it’s a damn good way to build advocates.
- It’s never too early to start beefing up your obituary.
- The goal of business isn’t to make money; it’s to deliver something of value to your customers (and hopefully they’ll be willing to pay for it).
- Every customer is a VIP.
- Never, never underestimate the power of simplicity.
- Seek and ye shall find. (In other words, don’t guess at what your customers want… ASK them.)
- It’s worth it to relent at times. Someone else’s “yes” might be more impassioned than your “no.”
- Life is only as fulfilling as the relationships you build while living it.
- Refrain from using the term “snail mail.” It offends postal workers. A postal worker could turn out to be one of your best customers.
- Never be afraid to dig in and find out.
- Freedom is knowing and understanding what you can control… yourself and your effort.
- Emotional maturity should be required of any person seeking to work in a start-up.
- Things change in an instant… adapt quickly.
- Admitting that you don’t know something opens your mind to learning new things.
- You can only truly listen if you’re not thinking of your own response at the same time.
- You can do the right thing, and still get ahead.
- There is always a place for empathy in your work.
- Your future is only defined by the expanse of your imagination.
- Smile. Often.
What did you learn in 2011? Care to share?
