This business parable takes many of us back to our first job – paperboy. We didn't just deliver newspapers; we ran a business. We had to increase our customer base if we wanted to make more money. We learned and practiced customer service skills.

We dealt with our supplier (the newspaper) and knew the importance of on-time delivery (especially in bad weather). We managed delivery schedules around customer needs. We learned accounting and collected money.

Rain, the paperboy in this tale, reminds us of what should be done to build any business. Rain's 10 Customer Commandments provide the key to customer satisfaction: 1. Thou shalt not fail to deliver. 2. Thou shalt not be late. 3. Thou shalt not be sick. 4. Thou shalt not be on vacation. 5. Thou shalt not be at camp. 6. Thou shalt not deliver wet, damaged or incomplete papers. 7. Thou shalt not have bike trouble. 8. Thou shalt not get lost. 9. Thou shalt not be tired. 10. Thou shalt not make excuses.

Think about how these apply to your business.

Jim Pawlak reviews business books for The Dallas Morning News.
Rain

Jeffrey Fox (Jossey-Bass, $18.95)