Who are you?

Posted on January 19, 2011 by David

“The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have.” Vince Lombardi

I often chuckle when I hear someone say they are going to give 110% of what they have toward some effort.

Well, I’m here to tell you that you can’t do that. Instead of trying to give more than you have, you need to redefine what 100% means.

From a mathematical perspective, it doesn’t make sense. For example, let’s say you have a bowl of 100 marbles. You want to give them away. As a matter of fact, you are feeling so generous today, you’re going to give 110% of them away. That would be 110 marbles. But you only have 100.

You see, the scale is out of balance. By redefining what it means to give it all, that is 100%, you now understand your perception of “all” was a little off.

If you are giving 110% or greater in service to your customers, your friends, and your family, it might be time to adjust your scale.

Live to serve. Humbly. 100% of the time. Make it who you are.

Posted in Giving, Purpose | 6 Comments

Sorry to disappoint you

Posted on January 18, 2011 by David

But . . .

What if we could say we’re sorry before anything bad happened? That’s a good thing, right?

If we greet our customers at the door with apologies, they’ll eventually get the hint and stop doing business with us.

Apologies could include poor service or a bad product selection. And we don’t have to say a word.

In other words, you don’t care. You care enough to say I’m sorry but you don’t do anything to change the situation.

But if we were to have the heart of a servant, we wouldn’t have to say we’re sorry.

Live to serve.

Posted in Customer Service, Purpose | 2 Comments

New Blog Address

Posted on January 15, 2011 by David
I’ve moved. 
Click here to go to the new site!
Feedback is desired and welcomed!
David
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on New Blog Address

Have you laid a cornerstone?

Posted on January 15, 2011 by David

Just because you’re not a builder or an architect doesn’t mean you’re not involved in laying a cornerstone.

The practice of laying a cornerstone was to provide a point of reference for which all other stones would be based. From the 18th to 19th century, the laying of the cornerstone was also a grand ceremonious event. Local dignitaries spoke, parades were held, speeches were given, even artillery was discharged. It was quite the fanfare for most public buildings, monuments, and even some houses of worship. Programs were printed and distributed.

Here is an excerpt from the cornerstone ceremony for a particular project:

“The procession marched two a-breast, in the greatest solemn dignity, with music playing, drums beating, colors flying, and spectators rejoicing; from the President’s Square to the Capitol, in the City of Washington; where the Grand Marshall called a halt, and directed each file in the procession . . . “

Quite a show, huh? This was a description of the events leading up to the U.S. Capitol Cornerstone Laying Ceremony.

What about the cornerstone of your business. Is it a written statement in a notebook outlining the founding of your company? Is it on a plaque to dedicate the building where your office is located?

Or is it the way the way you do business? Take a look at why you’re in business if you have a hard time figuring this one out.

Posted in Foundation, Leadership, Purpose | 4 Comments

It means a lot to them

Posted on January 12, 2011 by David
The parking lot

It looks lonely.

Unless you have been living under a rock or you’ve been out of the country, you probably saw that parts of the Southeastern US have been blanketed in a layer of snow and ice. With temperatures hovering around the freezing mark today, it may take a few days before the thaw sets in.

Because of the rarity of this occurrence, we are not as prepared as are other parts of the country. Many businesses were closed and will remain closed a day or two more.

But for one customer yesterday, our being there was like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The grocery store in our shopping center had already closed. The pharmacy across the street was closed. We had what he was looking for. He saw our “Open” sign turned on and headed right for us.

He came in and said, “I’m so glad you’re here. This really means a lot to me.” He then began his story of how the snow has kept him at work because others couldn’t get in. His wife was also stuck at an airport out of town and couldn’t get back to town for another day or two.

And today was their anniversary.

We may think we’re open under difficult circumstances just so we can pay the bills and meet payroll. It’s bigger than that. It’s for the customer.

It means a lot to them.

Little did he know, he just made my day.

Posted in Customer Service, Purpose, Reward | 4 Comments