If you grew up in the 1970s, it was hard to avoid James Garner. The actor, made famous in the previous decade playing Bret Maverick in an earlier TV series, starred in another long-running TV series called The Rockford Files.
Garner played Jim Rockford, a Los Angeles private detective who served time in San Quentin for a wrongful conviction. Once pardoned, he set up shop in a dilapidated trailer in Malibu taking small-time insurance scams and cold cases mostly to stay out of trouble with the police. But Garner's character quickly took off in popularity, and the show had a successful run from 1974-1980.
It seems unlikely, but Garner's character, Jim Rockford, could teach us a few things about how to be successful in business, even though it seems Rockford was never paid for the cases he accepted. Here are a few things that distinguished Rockford as a successful businessman.
Technology and Customer Service. Each episode of the Rockford Files began with the phone ringing, and Rockford's answering machine picking up the call. Rockford believed in keeping in touch with his customers at all times. Answering machines were a rare technology in the 1970s, yet Rockford valued keeping in touch with potential customers enough that he had one. He was a pioneer in customer service and knew the importance of being available 24/7.
The Long Shot. In business, it's easy to pick and choose projects based on their probability of success and their high profile. Rockford appeared to go out of his way to pick cases that were old and unsolvable. Through a process of elimination and sound reasoning and deduction, he solved every case before the end of the hour. We all would like to take the easy way out, and select work projects that are easily, quickly solved and with the highest visibility. Once in awhile, the Long Shot is a necessity. It builds business character and shows your integrity to complete a nearly impossible task on time successfully.
Business Favors. Rockford's clients were rarely wealthy, and their problems were tough. Often they didn't seem to have two nickels to rub together. Amazingly, Rockford would take on their cases despite knowledge and better judgement. We've all been approached by a client or co-worker and asked to help them out for little or no personal gain. But sometimes, that's the right thing to do, and Rockford did favors recognizing that it was a task that needed to be done.
Work-Life Balance. Rockford worked hard for his clients, but he played hard too. He had a healthy work-life balance, although he was always available for client questions and concerns...except when out on that Malibu dock fishing with his dad, Rocky.
Question Authority. Rockford had a natural sense of knowing when things didn't add up. He questioned established practices, people's statements and mannerisms, and constantly evaluated and re-evaluated. In the business world, such traits are characteristics of survival. Never presume anything no matter what a boss or coworker tells you. Use your gut instinct, dig deeper, strive for the best outcome. Do what it takes to get the real answer. So-called "Best Practices" often are not. Create your own Best Practices. If you believe in your heart in what you are doing and how you are doing it, go with your heart. Chances are, the path will be rewarding one.
James Garner passed away on July 19. We will miss the characters he portrayed, such as Bret Maverick and Jim Rockford. Sometimes we tend to believe that the actor resembles the characters he portrays. Garner would've been a rich person if he resembled Jimbo. The actor left behind a legacy of characters we can emulate and admire.
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