If there is one thing I’ve learned here so far about finances, it is the importance of keeping track of the Accounts Receivables. Without keeping track of who owes us money, we could easily end up losing a lot of dollars for hard work done. Our system is one that’s been previously explained, but is so unique that it bears mentioning again. We use the white board method, which we love around here, and keep all of the figures and invoices up on the wall–completely public. It may seem strange to have all of those outstanding dollars glaring down at us all day. But in truth, it is wonderfully motivating and keeps it all organized. And not to mention such a great feeling when I get to erase an amount when it comes in and deposit the check. Every line that disappears off that board is more money in the bank. With the two companies coming together there is even more cash flow, but also more customers to keep track of. Combining the processes of the two companies and making sure all the invoices are correct and not letting any slip through the cracks has proved to be anything but an easy task. The thing that keeps me on top of it is knowing that eventually I will get to erase each one off the board and very satisfyingly staple the invoice and file it as paid. While it can seem tedious, I understand the importance. And all the work is always worth it. After all, who doesn’t enjoy hard-earned, well-deserved cash?

So just a little update about the BMW bumper mishap. Rich called this guy twice and left a message for him, very patiently and calmly, about figuring out what to do. Instead of calling Rich back, he called me on Saturday night. He started getting rather uppity, claiming that he has called my number four times now and that I have never gotten back to him. I told him that he actually only called me once, and that when I received his message I passed it on to my boss, who would now be taking care of the problem, since it is his car. And he said “Well, your boss called me, but I don’t answer numbers I don’t know.” Then he continued to get angry with me, making it out to be my fault that him and Rich had not had contact yet. I figured instead of wasting his apparently precious time talking to me about something that I can do nothing about, he should have just called Rich back. But what I did instead was give him Rich’s cell phone number and told him to call him immediately and that I had done my part and needed to be left out of it from now on. Today Rich called him for a third time and finally got a hold of him so they can deal with this minor incident that has turned into a huge hassle.
Being accountable can pay off. Once two years ago I was driving home to Washington with a roommate. It was dark and late and we were almost there, spending the last part of our trip on back, forest roads in Western Oregon. I was speeding, wanting to be done with the twelve hour drive and because there were no other cars on the road. Of course I got pulled over. When the officer asked me if I knew how fast I was going I said, “Yes, I was going 80″. He then told me that he only clocked me at 79 MPH and that he was going to let me off with a warning because I was honest. Could I have denied that I was speeding and claimed injustice? Yes. Could I have cried like most girls would have? Yes. Could I have begged forgiveness and promised to never do it again? Yes. But cool, calm accountability really paid off. As it has in my life since then.
And honestly, I know what it’s like to not want to deal with something I’ve done wrong. Another example happened just today in the office. Rich had me schedule a flight about two weeks ago for a trip he is taking in January. I noticed later that I accidentally scheduled it for 11/18 instead of 1/18, clearly I misread the date. When I called the booking agency to fix it, they charged $100 for the change of itinerary. I felt absolutely horrible but knew I had to get it fixed. Truly I was a little bit nervous about telling Rich about the added cost. When I explained the situation, and took accountability for it, he said, “Those things happen. I’m just glad you caught it.” And as Erin said, that is why it’s great to work here.
So what have I learned from all this? Being accountable is so much better, because we all make mistakes. Avoiding the inevitable and blaming your mishaps and oversights on others is just showing cowardice and disrespect. Taking accountability is definitely taking the higher road. We all want recognition and praise for the things we do right, so why not also be willing to take the blame and the consequences for the things we do wrong.

We’re almost through the first draft of the book! It feels so good to be nearing this stage. Tuesday we had another editor come into the office to share some of his thoughts on how we can structure the information to make it accessible and interesting. Let’s just say, I wasn’t looking forward to it. I don’t mind feedback, but somewhere along the way I’ve become emotionally invested in this book, more than I thought I would. Part of what we had him look at, he loved. Part of it, he hated. He gave us one certain piece of advice that I immediately rebelled against mentally- but forced myself to really think about. Turns out, he gave us a way to unlock a lot of personality that we had been holding back, and a way to more adequately represent what it is we’re doing around here from day to day. It was incredibly helpful.

If you’ve got an idea, ANY kind of idea, it’s likely you’re going to feel a little protective of it. However, it’s crucial you get some outsider advice to be able to see it clearly. You don’t live in a vacuum, and neither will your venture. You need to see how it’ll fly in the real world. So how and WHEN do you ask for advice from an outside source?

1) Make sure you have the idea fully developed. Yes, there will be changes later on, but a clear foundation is easier to inspect for weakness than an idea that you have to preface like this: “I’ve only thought about this a little bit, not really ready yet, but what do you think?” It’s hard after you’ve put so much work into something to try and go back and make changes, but it is much more valuable to show someone an outline that is as close to perfect as you think it can be. So it’ll get torn apart. It’ll get better!

2) Be emotionally ready. If it’s hard for you to take suggestions or criticism, tell the person you’ve asked for help. Communicate your hot buttons. For example, if you can’t bear to hear someone say that they “feel the vision is naive,” or can’t stand it when someone tells you that “your flow is off,” (bad memories from AP English, anyone?) ask them to use different language. If you can take it, tell them to be as honest as they can possibly be.

3) Get something out of it. Maybe the suggestions your editor or advisor don’t mesh with your idea of a “good plan,” but don’t get discouraged, and don’t walk away empty handed. At least you’ve identified areas of weakness, and you can figure out alternate solutions on your own.

4) Ask someone you respect. It’s easier to take advice is you have confidence in the other person’s abilities and judgment.

Erin and I have both written frequently about the goal setting process we do here in the office. Last Thursday I received my reward for my first set of goals, and just in time for my 21st Birthday. Rich gave me his BMW for the weekend and Austin and I were already planning on going to Zoom in Park City for the big celebratory dinner. That night I went home and parked the car where I always park my own, naively thinking it would be safe. But living in an apartment complex full of cocky college boys, I discovered later the next day that someone had parked bumper to bumper with the back of Rich’s car. Yes, they had bumped into the car, and then actually left their car parked there, with theirs still in contact with the BMW. The only thing I could not believe more than that the car had actually been hit was that this guy had just left it there, like he had no idea that isn’t the way we park in America, or any country for that matter.
Needless to say I was furious, livid, enraged, incensed, shocked, appalled, etc., etc. But mostly I was so scared of having to tell Rich. The damage was fairly small, a gouge from the bolt of the other car’s license plate, but I still felt like I had been trusted with something valuable and had failed in taking care of it. After hours with the police and trying to deal with an unapologetic culprit who didn’t think he had done anything wrong, I called Erin who told me to call Rich’s wife. When I got the courage to, she was so incredibly nice to me about it that I actually cried because I was so relieved. Among other comforting words, she made sure I had not been hurt, and said to me, “Shanna, cars can be replaced, people can’t.” This phrase I have heard a hundred times before took on new meaning as it was applied with mercy to what happened to me. Tuesday morning when I saw Rich he was equally as gracious to me, telling me not to worry about it for one more minute, and that it truly was not a big deal.
This philosophy is applied daily in our office here. Things can be replaced. Mistakes can be fixed. Crises can be overcome. But people are the most important. No one is perfect. If there is one thing that sets this job apart from others I have had, it is that I am not afraid to make mistakes, especially after this weekend. It is not scary for me to try something new, to tackle a task I have no idea how to do. Because even if it does not turn out quite right, and if some patching needs to be done, I will still be trusted and I will still be valuable. Being forgiven without a second thought for damaging a really nice car has taught me that I will also be forgiven without a second thought for mistakes I make in the office, as long as they are honest mistakes. And that is motivation in itself to learn and to problem solve and to do things to the best of my ability all the time. It is always a bumpy road in business and in life. It’s just important to expect and anticipate a few dings along the way.

As an entrepreneur, it is your right and privilege to decide your company culture! Do you provide free food for your team? Do you set goals and rewards for individuals, and offer personal recognition? Maybe you’ll have office lunches more often than board meetings to discuss weekly or monthly agendas. Your business means what you want, how you want it.

Today our office is all going out to celebrate a birthday lunch with our executive admin, Shanna. Shanna and I have been asking Rich questions about differents forms of investment and savings accounts- and he said that we’d take some time at lunch to go over it a little more. Our company culture is one of openness, questions and answers, and goals and rewards. Rich and Ron have set it up as a place where we are all meant to contribute in our own area of expertise, but can also learn more about other aspects of what goes on around here, as well. As a result, we can all wear a few more hats, not to mention sound a little more knowledable on the phone.

We were huddled around the whiteboard for a couple minutes this morning when Rich burst out of his office exclaiming, “the fun has just begun!” A new venture is gaining momentum, and we spent a few minutes talking about the new task division, focus, and hopes for the next couple of months. He also shared his ultimate “dream” reward, a Lotus. There aren’t many offices where the converstaion between the owners and the team is so open and candid, but it’s our culture.

What will yours be?