The secrets of a successful business, career or relationship typically can be attributed to common sense and simple truths. For example, I am a strong believer in following through with what you promise, no matter if that is to our customers, our business partners, or in inter-personal relationships. It should be a simple matter to come through for others but, of course, it isn't necessarily so.

When it comes to following through, sometimes good intentions become problematic if you can't deliver what you promised. Sometimes it can seem easier to not follow through for whatever reason and blame external events. This creates both a perception problem with whomever you made the commitment to and may weaken your resolve to follow through in the future, since you may believe you got away with not following through before.

The problem is that most people remember when people or businesses don't come through for them. I was impressed when I heard that Craigslist's founder Craig Newmark calls himself a "customer service representative." It shows that the customers are central to the business and that from the top down there is a commitment to them. That is uncommon common sense.

David Hornik recently posted on this very issue both at a business level and a personal level. It is worth reading to understand how important some Venture Capitalists perceive this issue is for companies if you run a business and are looking for capital.

In this age of instant communication, practicing common sense and follow through, from a business or a general relationship perspective, has to be part of your repertoire. While all people and businesses make mistakes at times, if you and those around you believe in and are committed to providing quality service and follow through with the basics, the reciprocity you will receive, either in customer loyalty or in your relationships, will be well worth the bit of extra effort.