Quality. I like to ensure that my customers are getting great value when they work with me. How?

• • I spend time honing an idea.
  • Got an eagle’s eye for detail.
  • I notice punctuation issues and typos that others might miss.
  • I like to emphasise a properly completed sign-off.
  • That is why I was mortified to discover a glaring spelling mistake on my own business cards the other day…

Worse still, the discovery came after I had already started using them.

So how did this come about?

Took up a Moo.com offer for 50 free business cards, printed in their premium Luxe range.

As I had only just ordered a set of Luxe cards with a gorgeous black seam running between the card and a cunning design that captured all my contact details and social media links in one place; I thought I would try something different this time.

I would experiment with cutting down the content to only the vitals of website, name, telephone number and a larger photo with a bold strap line. So I ordered them again, this time with a blue seam to really push the envelope.

The cards arrived and I loved them even more than the original set.

Large type and profile pic were striking
Contact details could now “breathe”. Much better.
Job Role as well as my new strapline stood out beautifully–
–stood out for the wrong reason, that is. My strap line had been though(t)lessly misspelt.

How ironic that this thoughtful design company did not think to spell correctly 🙂

Forgive and forget

Mistakes will happen of course. My sincerest thank-you goes to Gail Gibson of ‘True Expressions‘ who (a) noticed it within a second, and (b) boldly pointed it out.

Lessons learned

1. 1. Never rush your own marketing. Treat yourself as you would your own customers!
   2. Beware of freebie offers that lull you into a false sense of security. You’re less likely to pay attention to it when you think you have nothing to lose.
   3. Mind the wood for the trees. Your biggest strength could become your Achilles’ Heel. Whilst admiring my improvements in all their detail, I failed to do the obvious quality check: looking at them as if from the critical viewpoint of a potential new contact.
   4. Do ask for a second opinion before you print! Even if it’s you who usually says this to others 😉
   5. And finally: be grateful that the error went no further than it did.

Have you ever done anything embarrassing in your business that got you to re-think how you value your own brand, take stock, and maybe slow down a little?