The Movers and Shakers of the Philosophy for Success consistently use the following practices as a matter of habit:

● In the United States there is a saying that the customer is King. In Japan, there is a saying that the customer is God.  Whatever your viewpoint, always remember that the customer is the reason you are in business.

● Be sensitive to time. A customer who calls or e-mails wants a reply. Your assurance that you are investigating his inquiry immediately will be much appreciated.  Always give a "deadline target solution time" as a goal.  If you do not have the answer by your target time, revise this solution time with this customer.

● Get to know your customer. Be sensitive to the optimal time of day for discussions or updates.  Some customers have power-packed daytime schedules - they are visiting their stores, seeing salespersons, promoting their products, setting-up trade shows or displays.  These customers often prefer to be contacted late in the day when things have wound down.  Other customers prefer to be contacted 20 times per day, as if you work next to them.  Tailor your contact procedures to fit your customer, like an expensive suit.

● Be sensitive to the details.  If there are any areas that seem ambiguous, verify them with the customer and communicate your understanding of the situation in a clear manner.

● Verify distribution requirements. The most perfectly produced product is useless if it does not get distributed according to the customer's wishes and projections.

● When appropriate, ask the customer how business has been.  This can help you project what to expect for future orders.  You can also aide your Sales Force by providing information concerning untapped areas which can be developed for an increase in sales.

● Communicate…with the customer, with your sales force, with the appropriate service professionals.

● Follow up with e-mails or snail-mails after phone calls. This avoids misunderstanding.

● Confirm changes in writing. E-mail any discussions concerning unusual requests and the results.  These e-mails are mini-contracts that provide clarifying support to your business arrangements

● When preparing instructions for service providers, review them from different perspectives, as if you have never seen them before.  This will expose areas where the instructions may be subject to misinterpretation.