Point to Ponder

We often think of large multi-store chains as big and impersonal, driven only by market share and profits. This is not always the case. Here is a letter to the Editor that Irene noticed in a local paper shortly after Christmas that made her cry. It brought tears to my eyes too as well as admiration and inspiration.

 

This story shares a great example of the true spirit of Christmas. It also shares a living example of true Customer Service and a winning attitude in retail and business in general. I was inspired!

 

Letter to the Editor (Edmonton Sun, Dec. 24th, 2009): 

I called my stepfather last evening from my home in Havelock, Ontario. Following his move to the St. Thomas Health Center (Edmonton, Alberta) earlier this year most of his possessions, other than the essentials, were discarded. That included the few Christmas decorations he had. 

 

I should mention that he is a strapping five-foot-three and 92 years old.

 

As he wished to decorate his room a bit, he went to a Zellers in Edmonton via a cab to get a $10 tree they advertised. The store was a bit much for him and he got lost. When he finally found someone to help, he was informed the trees on special were all gone.

 

I am not sure how, but they established how old he is and gave him a more expensive tree along with decorations for the sale price of $10. Then they proceeded to get him a cab and made sure he was driven back to the right address.

 

The story seems to lose a bit in print as I had a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye when he told me about how kind the staff was at this store. I have no idea which store it might be, but if the sales clerk sees this they will know who they are and realize they too have a heart 10 sizes too large.

Douglas Leary

 

I wonder:

• What kind of stories are your clients telling about you?
  
• What kind of stories would you like to have them tell?
• Would your actions mirror the spirit of Christmas and the true spirit of customer service for your clients?
  

Your conscious actions to provide true customer service create ripples that can enhance your business and increase your longevity regardless of external pressures.

 

Bob

 

Ask for help in Australia and you'll often hear, 'No worries!'. That is a great attitude for customer service too. 

                           

We headed southward to Sydney Australia on the 8th with a side trip to Hawaii due to a medical emergency enroute.  That meant we were able to spend the entire day there due to crew rest restrictions.

Eight years ago (1997) I went into the studio and recorded a 56-minute video for teenagers called "Three Keys To Greatness." Although my focus was for teenagers, the principles I shared certainly apply to adults as well.

Recently I was asked to list these three things using one to two sentences for each. Now for your benefit here they are again.

1) Setting Goals. I call it the view of the future. Most people, including kids, will pay the price if they can see the promise of the future. So we need to help our kids see a well-defined future, so they will be motivated to pay the price today to attain the rewards of tomorrow. Goals help them do this.

2) Personal Development. Simply making consistent investments in our self-education and knowledge banks pays major dividends throughout our lives. I suggest having a minimum amount of time set aside for reading books, listening to audio-cassettes, (CDs and DVDs), attending seminars, keeping a journal and spending time with other successful people. Charlie Tremendous Jones says you will be in five years the sum total of the books you read and the people you are around.

3) Financial Planning. I call it the 70/30 plan. After receiving your paycheck or paying yourself, simply setting aside 10% for saving, 10% for investing and 10% for giving, and over time this will guarantee financial independence for a teenager.

If a young person, or for that matter an adult, focused on doing these three simple things over a long period of time I believe they will be assured success!

Jim Rohn

This article was given to us by the late Jim Rohn, America's Foremost Business Philosopher. Jim was always generous with his time, his encouragement and his wisdom. He has given us articles to include in our pubications and on some of our sites. I had the pleasure of working with him when we co-authored Quantum Success. To subscribe to the Free Jim Rohn Weekly E-zine go to www.jimrohn.com or send a blank email to subscribe@jimrohn.com Copyright © 2005-2010 Jim Rohn International.
 

February will be a mixed month working on projects and catching up following my vacation. Working with coaching clients, working on new websites, updating our speaker websites, writing articles for Speaking for Impact and several other on-line publications.I need another vacation.

 

Follow up on a couple of meetings and working on my program for PSA Holland for March. Also some work on my trip to Russia for this June.

 

Pictured here in the Tasman Sea off Bondi Beach, NSW

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Thanks for reading

 

Bob 'Idea Man' Hooey would be pleased to be a part of your success team and to work with you to help make your conference, meeting, or training event a success. For more information about customized keynotes, professional and personal leadership training and coaching, or seminars/retreats, please visit  http://www.ideaman.net or call our Creative Office at:  (780) 736-0009 for availability.

 

 

Pictured here at the Sydney Aquarium, NSW.

 

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Bob and Irene caught off Bondi Beach, NSW

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