[youtube]https://youtu.be/yg1Cx26-928[/youtube]

 

Today when I was surfing FaceBook (yes, guilty pleasure) I came across an old post about James Garner passing last year.

Millennials may not remember James Garner as the blue collar private eye, Jim Rockford, in the hit TV show “The Rockford Files”.

But what he taught me about hard work and the grinding out your daily successes – that is life in the business world – is something everyone could learn from.

Here’s a few of the highlights.

1) The phone is your business lifeline.

In the 70’s, it was the home phone or phone booth.  For Jim Rockford that is where he got his leads or updates on a case.

For a marketer, having your web site mobile friendly (how to find out if your site is mobile friendly) so those millennials, whose phones are an appendage (and everyone else these days now), can find you.

On top of that Google will penalize you if your site isn’t mobile friendly.

2) You need to get creative.

Jim Rockford always had a small press in the back seat of his car to make business card cards on the spot.  He’d use those to bluff his way into getting the information he needed.  Whether he was an inspector, or a vendor, whatever fit the expectations that would allow him unfettered access to what he needed.

For you how can you get visitors to your site?  How can you set yourself apart from everyone else?  What could you be doing offline as well as online to change things up?

3) Private investigation and marketing is tough business.

You may not be fighting criminals and getting physically beat up every day.  But you still have to test things.  Have them often fall flat.  Deal with customers who may not always be happy.  Outwork your competition.  If you’re not growing and constantly working “On your business” in addition to “In your business”, you’ll find yourself backsliding and losing ground.  So expect hard work.  9 to 5 is what pays your bills but after 5 is where you start making your real money and growing your business.

4) Follow through is critical.

If you don’t get results you won’t have clients.  It’s that simple.

That requires hard work (see #3), focus, consistently working your plan, and doing UNTIL you’ve achieved.  And always having a few goals beyond the current one so you don’t experience a let down after achieving.

James Garner/Jim Rockford may no longer be with us but his memory and blue collar hard work live on.

Now go jump into your business.