Minor Mistakes = Big Losses

The other day, Dear Jane Sample wrote about mistakes and reminded her readers that mistakes happen and no matter how big or small, life goes on; it’s not a big deal. While I agree, I don’t accept that. Mistakes shouldn’t happen, especially when presenting, reporting, etc. to someone that’s your senior. This week was riddled with unacceptable mistakes. And guess what? Those mistakes got your ass kicked off the account. Here are just a few of my favorites (or more appropriately, least favorites):
 
1. Spelling mistakes in presentations or formal emails that are sent to multiple people. Yes, it’s an absurdly little thing. But guess what, that’s the ONLY thing people remember. The fact that you increased ROI by 200%? Irrelevant. Debuting new technology that will change the face of the market place? Will you be heralded for finding it? Nope. Thanks to technology, correcting spelling mistakes is a single click, you can even do it from your mobile phone. In fact, for email, it’s not even a separate click, spell check automatically occurs when you hit “send”. AND for those words spelled correctly but not used appropriately (i.e. “there” and “their”)? Those can usually be found with a quick re-read of the document. Are you telling me you don’t have time to do that, especially when you’re sending to say, the President of X company? Give me a f*ing break. You’re basically saying that an extra two minutes to ensure buy off on whatever is presented is not worth the time. If two minutes isn’t worth your time, then the thousandth of a second it takes to say a three letter word (yes) vs. a two letter word (no) isn’t worth my time.

2. Consistent Formatting. I won’t harp on this one as it’s exactly the same as #1. However, for most people, these are easier to see and even more derailing.

3. Making sure your math / formulas are correct. Same as #1 and #2 baby. If you get called out for a wrong formula, all subsequent ones will either be questioned or completely dismissed.

4. Missing a deadline. For me, this one is COMPLETELY and TOTALLY unacceptable. In 10 years, I haven’t missed a single deadline and I certainly don’t intend to start. Hard to believe, but very real and clearly doable. If I can make a deadline during a forecasted Category 5 hurricane (ended up hitting Miami as a Cat 1 but still very damaging), you can certainly meet one when you are in great health and have no “acts of God” standing in your way.
 
And the one that KILLED me this week:
X Department sends out ONE “formal” report per month per account. Those reports are one analyst’s only job. Should those reports be 100% accurate? YES. Is there a difference between $0 and $50,000? YES. Did that mistake just royally screw the single number that everyone glances at and understands? YES. Are you going to send a revised report to the people who matter? NO.

The best part of this whole story? At least THREE additional people are supposed to review the report before it’s released. You’re telling me that four people missed such a glaring error? Even if you missed the error, didn’t the end number give you pause for thought? Clearly, you are no longer doing your job. If you can’t do your job, you are worthless to me.

Moral of the rant? Take a few extra minutes to check your work. It will make the difference between a big loss and a big win.