How Small Things Can Make a Big Difference
Do small things really make a big difference? Entrepreneur Kenton Lee is proof that a tiny idea can tackle massive things. Through his project The Shoe That Grows , he found a solution to a particular problem that he felt he could do something about. Interviewed by John Golden, Lee discusses how a small thing has now made a really big difference.
This expert sales interview discusses:
- The power of small things
- How large problems can be tackled with small solutions
- Embracing small things in business to achieve sales success
Embracing Unexpected Ideas:
When living at an orphanage in Kenya, Lee was surrounded by children who had no options for shoes. He had the idea for his Shoe That Grows project while walking with a little girl who was wearing shoes so small, she had to cut open the front to let her toes hang out. “It all started with an unexpected idea that popped into my head while traveling,” said Lee. Since that day, this idea made a huge impact. The organization developed and created an adjustable shoe that grows with a child as they grow, lasting them years and taking them through five sizes. Since its start, over 180,000 pairs of shoes have been delivered to children in need in over 100 countries.
The Power of Small Things:
“I really do believe in the power of small things. It may not be the silver bullet solution, but it could help even one person. It’s a start, in a small way, to make things better or alleviate pain,” said Lee. “We may not be Bill Gates, or have the power to make huge systemic changes, but for regular people, we can do small things that make a big difference.”
Big Problems, Small Solutions:
There is a tendency, both on a personal and professional level, to only discuss large problems. However, it’s incredibly difficult to tackle and make changes to macro-level issues like generational and structural poverty, or a negative systemic culture within an organization. The result is that these conversations about big issues don’t actually lead to anything changing. Instead, pull things back. Look at what is in front of you where you actually could make an impact and take action. This is usually in the small things. “I’m a believer that small things make a big difference in so many areas of life and work,” said Lee. By taking action in a manageable way, you actually make a difference and make changes. Even if they are at a micro level, and the larger problem still exists, you have made a positive difference and created positive change.
Small Things in Business:
Say you are working on big sales with five clients. As a salesperson, there is already a lot to juggle and manage when moving an account through the sales cycle. The tendency is to focus on the bigger picture; always be closing, always be checking off the next step in the process, always be moving the client closer to signing the contract. But sometimes it can be helpful to integrate little things, like sending a thank you note, sending an email back right away, or doing smaller things that yield big results. It’s the small things that stand out to clients, and these little differences can truly make or break the end results. “Do small things really well, and make things happen,” said Lee.
About our Host:
John is the Amazon bestselling author of Winning the Battle for Sales: Lessons on Closing Every Deal from the World’s Greatest Military Victories and Social Upheaval: How to Win at Social Selling. A globally acknowledged Sales & Marketing thought leader, speaker, and strategist. He is CSMO at Pipeliner CRM. In his spare time, John is an avid Martial Artist.
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