I got an interesting call today from an old friend.  After the usual pleasantries, he said, “I need a name.”  He explained that he was getting ready to do some business in Mexico, and he wanted to see if I remembered the name of a man we did business with there in the early ’90’s.  I told him I doubted the guy was still working with the same company and here’s what he said: “I’d really like to get hold of this guy even if he isn’t there anymore.  He was honest and he treated us fairly, and I’d like to give him the first shot at this.”

I think a lot of people get into the mindset that today will probably be the last time I’ll ever see this guy so. . .  And then they use that as an excuse to do something they might not ordinarily do.  But today’s experience brought home to me one more time the importance of always being open, honest, fair, helpful, etc., etc.  It’s important today, but it could be even more important 10 years (or more) from now.  We haven’t talked to our friend in Mexico for more than 15 years, and yet when something big (something potentially very lucrative) comes up, his is the first name that comes to mind.  His integrity back then has the potential to pay big dividends now.

Don’t be short-sighted in the impact of how you act, how you treat others or in your ethics in business.  What you get right now may not even be the tip of the iceberg.  You are laying the foundation for even greater things than those that are happening right now.   Live your business life as if everything in your future depended on what you do right now.  In most cases it really does.