Business Sphere

What does the famous saying “go the extra mile” means? How does it contributes to your success or by becoming successful?

imge source: www.smallbusinessbranding.com/im...mile.jpg

“Go the extra mile” is an adaptation of a commandment of Jesus in the Sermon of the Mount which states” “Whoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain” (two). It means going beyond what is expected of you in helping others.

Napoleon Hill, the famous inspirational author, tells of a wonderful story about going the extra mile.*

Late one afternoon, many years ago, William C. Durant, the founder of General Motors, walked into his bank after banking  hours, and asked for some favor which in the ordinary course of business should have been requested during banking hours.

The man who granted the favor was Carol Downes, an under official of the bank. He not only served Mr. Durant with efficiency, but he went to the Extra Mile and added courtesy to the service. He made Mr. Durant feel that it was a real pleasure to serve him.

The incident seemed trivial, and of itself it was of little importance. Unknown to Mr. Downes, the courtesy was significant.

The next day Mr. Durant asked Downes to come to his office. That visit led to the offer of a position which Downes accepted. He was given a desk in a general office where nearly a hundred other people worked, and he was notified that the office hours were from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. His salary to begin with was modest.

At the end of the first day, when the gong rang announcing the close of the day’s work, Downes noticed that everyone grabbed his hat and coat and made a rush for the door. He sat still, waiting for the others to leave the office.

After they had gone he remained at his desk, pondering in his own mind the cause of the great haste everyone had shown to get away on the very second of quitting time.

Fifteen minutes later Mr. Durant opened the door of his private office, saw Downes still at his desk, and asked Downes whether he understood that he was privileged to stop work at 5:30 p.m.

“Oh yes, Downes replied, “but I did not wish to be run over in the rush.” Then he asked if he could be of any service to Mr. Durant. He was told he might find a pencil for the motor magnate. He got the pencil, ran it through the pencil sharpener and took it to Mr. Durant. Mr. Durant thank him and said “good night.”

The next day at quitting time Downes remained at his desk again after the “rush” was over. This time he waited with purpose aforethought. In a little while Mr. Durant came out of his private office and asked again if Downes did not understand that 5:30 was the time for closing.

“Yes,” Downes smiled. “I understand it is quitting time for the others, but I have heard no one say that I have to leave the office when the day is officially closed, so I chose to remain here with the hope that I might be of some slight service to you.”

“What an unusual hope,” Durant exclaimed. “Where did you get the idea/”

“I got it from the scene I witness here at closing time every day.”

From then on Downes rose from the ranks at General Motors, becoming a manager of the new plant. He became a trusted adviser of the motor king and made himself rich as a result.

All because Downes “go the extra mile.”

__________

* Napoleon Hill, The Master-Key To Riches