Groundhog Day Advice: 3 Business Mistakes You Should Avoid Repeating

What are the Finger Lakes?”  If you recognize this question, you may have watched the movie “Groundhog Day.”  Maybe more than once.  Maybe so many times that it feels like you’ve been watching it in a never-ending and repeating day.  In the film, Bill Murray’s jaded meteorologist character Phil lives out February 2nd in seeming perpetuity in the heart of Punxsutawney, PA, the home of the illustrious prognosticating groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil.  Stuck reliving the same day over and over again, he continually encounters the same people, events, and happenings of the day.  He has watched that day’s episode of “Jeopardy!” so many times that he is able to divine “What are the Finger Lakes?” before the answer is even read aloud to the amazement of others watching the show with him. 

In the real world, this sort of anticipatory behavior may at first seem to be advantageous for a business.  There could be a benefit from predictability for sure.  However, predictability is bred from static behavior and practices, which can hinder creativity, growth, and new ideas.  Repetition is not necessarily a good thing.  In this vein, here’s some pertinent Groundhog Day advice: 3 common business mistakes you don’t want to repeat.

  1. Overpromising Customers – It is always better to be realistic in what you can offer customers rather than promising the world.  Customers will respond much more positively to the exact same result if that result is presented honestly from the outset as the best you could provide rather than as a missed deadline, poor measure of quality, etc. that was promised to be sooner or better but not quite met.
  2. Undervaluing Employees – Unless your business is a one-person show, you must acknowledge that your business is nothing without your employees.  It is essential to not overlook the contributions they make every day to help continue the business itself.
  3. Complacency – Even though your business may be at the pinnacle of your industry today, it is never a good idea to assume things will never change.  Even through no fault of your own, it’s possible that your industry itself may become obsolete as newer and better technology comes along.  Periodically looking for innovations or improvements is an important part of maintaining the health of any business.

Business Christmas Cards, February and a Groundhog Named Punxsutawney Phil

One doesn’t normally think about business Christmas cards in February. February brings visions of snowflakes and candy hearts for Valentine’s Day. However, the mild temperatures are making the predictions of one certain Pennsylvania groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, seem silly. Six more weeks of winter? If it continues like this, everyone will welcome it!

So with a prediction of six more weeks of winter, it turns my mind to Christmas cards in February. There are many reasons to order your cards early. One of the best reasons is that because this is the off season, cards are offered at greater discounts. This is a winning situation for both business and customer. Employers are able to keep employees productive and customers reap the benefit of lower costs. Ordering early also gives you the best selection of cards. When waiting until peak season to order, you run the risk of that special card being sold out. During the holiday season we usually feel rushed with way too many things to do. Before you know it, you are in complete panic mode and wondering how you are going to get everything done.

While everyone else is scrambling in November to get their Christmas card order in, you can devote your time to other important matters. Just don’t forget where you stored your cards!