follow-through
“You say that one of your strengths is follow-through. When
has that made a difference in your work?”
- “As a pharmaceutical sales rep if I didn’t follow through
on my promises, I couldn’t have survived. I remember there was
one doctor who wasn’t going to see me or to buy my product no
matter what I did. My first strategy was to get past the office
manager, who I call ‘the gatekeeper.’ I went in once a week
and chatted with her and said that I was just following through.
Eventually I found out that she liked music, and that gave me
something to discuss with her. If she told me she was attending
a concert or music event, I went out of my way to ask how it
was on my next visit. I think she finally decided I was an okay-kind-of-guy,and
she was able to get me in to see the doctor. She told me that
I was the first sales person to show any interest in her or
the workings of the office. When I did get to meet the doctor,
I used the same approach on him, finding out what his interests
were. It worked like a charm. I was able to sell the most product
this doctor had ever bought from the company.”
- “As a human resources supervisor I have to constantly fol¬low
through on details of projects for managers. It seems as though
everything happens at the end of the year regarding performance
reviews and raises. Last year we had a mandatory holiday break,
and the data for raises to be effective January 1 st had to
be submitted two weeks earlier than usual. If you’ve worked
with managers who dreaded completing their performance reviews
you will know what I am talking about when I say it can be ‘like
pulling teeth.’I was working with two managers who were behind
schedule,and I didn’t seem to be able to make any progress.
I finally made a deal with them. If they would send two a day
for a week, we could complete the project on time. Each morning
I would call and ask if there was anything I could do to help
them make the daily quota. It got so they looked forward to
my call and my reminder. I am proud to say that I made that
deadline, and the managers actually thanked me for getting them
through their dreaded chore.”
- “I remember a project on which I supervised seven people.
Between the multiple projects going on and the seven people
to keep track of, I wouldn’t have survived without being very
organized with reminders to myself to follow through on certain
dates, projects, or upcoming events. My work ethic is that if
I say I am going to do something, I can assure you that I will
do it, if at all possible. This project was no exception. It
was on time with only a minor problem or two to take care of
along the way.”