The devil is in the detail

The devil is in the detail

On July 25 2000, Concorde flight AF4590 took off from Paris heading for New York. As it neared the end of the runway the jetliner struck a 40 cm piece of metal with one of its wheels, causing the tyre to shred. A piece of rubber ended up in the fuel tank under the wing. The plane crashed, killing all 109 people on board. It goes without saying: the piece of metal should never have been on the runway.

We tend to overlook little things. Most details are only noticed when they are lacking. But remember the devil is in the detail. It is not the big things that usually bring businesses down. Little oversights and indiscretions chase customers away and ultimately ruin businesses.

Attention to detail requires consistency – it is human nature to be consistent: we like to wake up with the floor underfoot, the sun in the sky and our coffee in a cup. To be consistent in every detail demands focus. It is about doing the job with accuracy, dedication and our full attention. It is not about putting hours into what you are doing, but about what you put into the hours.

Sweating the small stuff is probably the best advice if you want to see immediate improvement in your operation. Too many businesses are conducted in a suspended state of mediocrity. Only true commitment to excellence — which means an eye for detail – will make you survive the gauntlet of competitive business.

Are you sweating the small stuff?