I lost a client, and I’m actually happy about it.
Let me explain.
A while back, we placed a fantastic team member with what is now our former client. She did such a great job from day one, showing perfect culture and role fit, that they decided to hire her directly.
Yes, it happens in outsourcing. But here’s what really bothered me: poaching talent doesn’t just break terms. It breaks trust and destroys culture.
I believe the most valuable thing a business owner has is their reputation with clients, suppliers, and teams. Breaking terms sends a signal to that employee and to the rest of the team that shortcuts and small acts of dishonesty are acceptable. In the long run, that erodes trust and damages both the business owner’s and the company’s reputation.
Great cultures are built on respect and integrity.
And if a client shows us they don’t believe in that, then we’re simply not a good fit.
Because without values, there is no partnership.
What do you think? Does a little cheating corrode team and company culture?
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The Real Cost of Hiring Cheap
“If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.”
—Red Adair
Every time I see this quote, I’m reminded of how true it is in hiring. The cheapest option almost always turns out to be the most expensive.
Expertise saves you money, time, and headaches, always. The hard lesson is this: what looks like a good deal usually isn’t.
Quality has its price.
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The Freedom Test: Can Your Business Run Without You?
I barely checked my email for the past two weeks and drastically reduced my workload. It’s summer, and I’ve been traveling through Europe. On my way to Bulgaria, I had breakfast with Janet Bell, who happened to be here as well. Janet and I have known each other for years, going back to our time in OPWIL (Office Products Women in Leadership).
Even though so much has changed around us, our connection was instant. We enjoyed coffee in the sun and talked about the changes AI is bringing to the office supply space.
That conversation reminded me of something I’ve come to appreciate deeply: as business owners, we need to build companies that can run without us. If my business can’t operate while I’m away, while I’m traveling, then it’s time to redesign the system.
Here’s what made that possible for me:
✔️ Delegation rooted in trust
✔️ Systems that carry the weight
✔️ People who show up and take ownershipIt sounds so obvious and even banal, yet it took me years to get right. And I see so many business owners who know this, yet still struggle to find the right people who allow them to let go.
This trip gave me gratitude for the freedom I’ve been able to build.
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