It's my mouth, you know?

Owing certain recent unhealthy and unsavoury developments in a branch in my business, I had a meeting with the key executives there and brainstormed how we will overcome similiar challenges in the future.

Obvious answer was: raise the bar. Yup, plain and simple. The only difference is that we are going to honour our time invested in brainstorming by following through completely.

To avoid history repeating itself, we decided that all new applicants will have to go through a set of additional requirements in order to be admitted into our organization.

To be specific, here are the requirements, over and above what's required by our Head Office:

1. Each applicants will visit our branch at least twice: once to observe closely, and then to return the following week with some referrals for members. We will coach them how to do so, via referring to our 'Referral Activator Sheet'.

2. Each applicant will be given a time slot for a site visit by the members to their business premise, where we can get a feel of their business operations. We will also prepare for them a template to fill out which will list their products and services and profiles of clients. They will be asked to present this to the members to understand clearly what their business is all about. Then from there, we can identify which area we can be of assistance to them to refer business, and make any upfront exclusions, if we pick up something not in line with our organizational objectives and members' harmony.

3. We will then recommend to the applicants that they need to complete at least 2 Dance-cards (1-2-1s) with the members in their Chapter, especially those current members who are serving the same customer profiles as they are.

This will enable them to be absorbed in the Chapter culture even before joining.

Further to this: we will outline the profile of the general members' attributes we are looking for (this will be presented to all members and guests during this week's meeting.)

And if any prospective applicant doesn't measure up or falls through the cracks, we will do our best to bring them up to speed.

However, if they cannot keep up, then we will have to move on.

I believe, this is putting our money where our mouth is. At least my mouth, that is!