In his 1997 bestseller Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff and It’s All Small Stuff, Richard Carlson helped readers get a perspective on life and what’s really important. In somewhat juxtaposition to that line of thinking is that idea that we should always pay attention to the details. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell is quoted as saying, “Never neglect details. When everyone’s mind is dulled or distracted the leader must be doubly vigilant.” In business, the difference in success or failure can certainly be in the details. Small incorrect details in a computer code can cause major problems. A tiny irregularity in manufacturing can sometimes lead to disastrous results. Think about the last time you reviewed a resume with typos. What conclusions did you draw about that person? What about an employee who is habitually late or makes errors in customer service?

Todd Tauzin has become a very successful financial planner and business person by paying attention to the details. For the last two years, he has been one of the Top 20 agents in the country for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI (out of 7,000 financial representatives). Financial advisory is a very competitive industry, and there are many good financial advisors in Mississippi, so I recently visited with Tauzin to learn more about how he achieved this level of business success. A native of Bossier City, Louisiana, Tauzin graduated from Northeast University in Monroe, and he took a job right out of college with Northwestern Mutual in Dallas, Texas. He moved his practice to Jackson in 1992, and has practiced with The Spinks Group (Northwestern Mutual office) since his move.