Creative Problem Solving: Meeting Deadlines

Snow can be fun....but not when you are snowed in and FedEx cannot make it through....and your project is due!

This happened to us recently, snow was piling up fast and FedEX called to say they couldn't make it through and our project needed to be shipped out that day.

And we have never missed a deadline.

We looked out the window, our trucks were covered with a foot of snow and the streets were unplowed. We called the client and related our situation, and being understanding people, they said, don't worry about it, just ship it when the roads are cleared. We felt a little better, but we have never missed a deadline, EVER. Giving up is not like us, so we put our heads together for a little creative problem solving.

In fact, we have always told anyone who works with us that all projects must be completed on time…no excuses…if they died they still have to turn in their work on time. Now this. In over 17 years we had never been late and I was not happy thinking that now would be our first time.

Then we thought about one of our reviewers who lives close to the office...who has a big Jeep with huge nubby tires....perhaps? We called him up and the first thing out of my mouth wasn't hello or how ya doing but, "can you get to FedEx in your beautiful big jeep?" and he said "sure" he was more than happy to help. He dug his trusty Jeep out and used it's four wheel drive power to make it to the office. He then rescued the bundle of drawings and delivered them to the nearest FedEx office.

Whew, so thanks to our amazing reviewer, we still have never missed a deadline!

Author: Pamela S. Stevens