You Need A Go-to-Guru to Get Things Done

Every business needs a person who gets things done. Not just simply finishes assignments or tasks in a timely fashion, but goes heads down, nose to the grindstone, all out work to "git 'er dun." In other words, the "go-to guru."

Who or what is a go-to-guru (G2G)?

A G2G can be someone within your organization, or from outside the walls of the organization, you trust to get things done quickly, efficiently and even some times quietly. He or she can effect change and make things happen. They are people with connections, knowledge and, most importantly, access. Let me give you an example. Last year I was contacted by a company out of San Diego that needed to impress some clients who were going to be in town over the weekend. The company wanted to take their customers to the Chargers-Chiefs game and show them a great time. What they lacked was access. They called me and asked if I could "git 'er dun." With two quick calls and about 30 minutes of my time, they had a luxury box for 20, with field passes, catered lunch and unlimited drinks. "Git 'er dun."

Another client, who I have worked with extensively, sent an e-mail with an official letter that needed to be edited quickly and discretely. Within one business day, I returned the document, written and proofed, per her requirements.

The benefits of having a G2G are endless, but there are some real tangible benefits that can be derived from having a G2G. First and foremost, the job gets done quickly and accurately, the first time. The reason G2Gs are good at what they do is that they make sure they get it right every time. A G2G is only as good as his or her last deliverable. If your G2G doesn't deliver on even one project, don't use him or her again. While employees are a great resource, if they are sailing into uncharted waters, the timeline is much longer and the opportunity for error is much greater. Additionally, if someone from your team is going to perform a function that is outside of his or her job description, a task from the existing workload may be sacrificed in order to fulfill the request.

Access to resources is the second key for an effective G2G. Typically a G2G knows someone or a company or has a connection or has the ability to leverage other relationships. A G2G knows people. G2Gs know businesses. They are well-networked.

It can take weeks and months to forge profitable relationships, but through a good G2G, you can gain access in a matter of days. Another benefit is that relationships with G2Gs are reciprocal. One week you may need the G2G to provide a service to you or your business, and the next week the G2G may bring business to you. In the example I gave about the "letter" the favor was returned with a well-suited federal contract proposal.

The good news is that there is a wealth of talented G2Gs in the Inland Empire, many of them you know but have never thought of in terms of G2G or "git 'er dun." They are the entrepreneurs who always seem to make things happen and have a constant flow of projects and always seem to be on the move. These are the people whom as a business owner, you need to engage as part of your team. They are the people who get things done, when things need to get done.