Recently, I received a message from an old friend who has moved back into the area, and we reconnected. He is a former Bible Quizzer, and I had the privilege of coaching the team he was on when he was a high school student. Among other things, he is a pilot, and he was messaging me that he could be at my local airport in 30 minutes, and would I like to go for a ride? Of course I would! I haven’t been in a small plane in about 20 years and the opportunity was too good to pass up, even though I had made plans to spend some quality time working on a race car (car guys get it). I washed the grease and dirt off my hands and hoofed it over to the airport where her was landing, just as I pulled up.
After all the necessary checks, the throttle was pulled back, and down the runway we went. At 80 miles per hour (air speed) the plane got light, and at 95 the yoke was pulled back and the ground fell away. What a feeling! One of the greatest in the world, if you ask me, anyway. We are both grinning like crazy and he says, “where do you want to go?” “You’re driving,” I said, “where ever you like.” He goes on to tell me that most people like to see their place, and I said that sounded good to me. I told him about where it was and he banked the plane around until we were on the right heading. The drive that took me 20 minutes took us about 3 minutes to fly.
“As we approached our salvage yard it was a whole new perspective…it amazed me how even though I hadn’t ever looked at the salvage yard from this vantage point before, I instinctively know where everything was and what I was looking at…and I could see it all so clearly.”
As we approved our salvage yard, it was a whole new perspective, and I was struck by a couple of things. First, how quickly we had gotten there, and from how far away I could see it as we cruised at 2,500 feet altitude. Secondly, it amazed me how even though I hadn’t ever looked at the salvage yard from this vantage point before, I instinctively know where everything was and what I was looking at. I didn’t just see a blue truck or a white car: I saw the 2018 F150 which was a disappointment because the engine was broken and we weren’t expecting that; I saw the white Mercedes that gave me quite a scar on my left wrist (which is a whole other story). Detail after detail, and I could see it all so clearly.
It made me think that sometimes, as owners, we really need to step away from our business and take a different look – maybe even literally, from above. I was my privilege to attend the last ARA conference and meet with a lot of great folks. During some of the sessions, different things were said that made me look at our business in a different light, which was a more figurative different look, but just as valuable. In church we recently had a speaker that said when we look at a matter, whether it is a problem that needs solving, a philosophical debate, or biblical scripture; it is good and valuable to have different people share insight into how they see it. He likened it to a gem that has been cut with many facets. When you move it, the light show through in just a little bit different way and makes it sparkle.
When we discuss in open forum different aspects of the auto recycling business, the same thing happens. No two business owners think the same, so when we share knowledge, not only can we all learn a new thing, but even the things we know may be seen differently. We can very often use that different perspective to fine-tune something we are already doing well.
In an airplane, the controls have a trim adjustment for that very purpose. You can pull back on the yoke and cause the elevator in the back of the plane to point you upwards, and you will go up. But, as soon as you let off the yoke, the plane will center back to the pitch it wants to fly. By adjusting the trim ever so slightly, we can fine tune where the plane wants to go, and make it fly steady or even climb subtly so elevation is gained while flying onward.
Isn’t that what we all want for our business? We want to slowly climb and steadily grow, not only in volume, but also in quality. To make our businesses something we can really be proud of. I strongly encourage everyone to make it a point to go and get a different perspective, or several, of your business. From personal experience, I highly recommend the ARA Mentor Program. For us, this was an important step. And, if you haven’t already, find someone to take you for a plane ride over your place. Even if you don’t have a lightbulb moment where an improvement becomes apparent, it’s a lot of fun! Do it for that reason alone.
If you really want to splurge, send some of your employees up to take a look and see what they have to say about your business. Everyone’s opinion has value, just like the sparkles of light that come through that multi-faceted diamond.
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