Are you going up hill?

I subscribe to John Maxwell's "Maximum Impact Club", so each month I receive a CD lesson to review (along with a mini-booklet).

The one I just completed (Volume 13, Number 2) was really great. It was titled "Truths About Leadership".

John made a statement in the lesson that really stood out to me, and I think provides some sense of encouragement to leaders who feel they're always going "against the wind".

John stated, "You can tell when you're on the road to success, it's up-hill all the way."

Now how powerful is that!?!

Though, as leaders, we can often tell we are making progress, sometimes that progress seems to be filled with pain and resistance. When you review yourself through the filter of John's statement, then it helps make sense why this is happening.

Do you have any thoughts and/or examples of how you've felt this way as a leader (and remember, John's other famous saying is that "...everyone is a leader of someone...")? Please click the comment link below and share your stories.

Thanks!

Until next time, remember “Your Success Is My Business."™

http://joeypeacock.com/

Full-Service

Full-service gas stations are almost like the 8-track cassettes of years past...just a memory. I can typically only find full-service stations in small towns now. I bet most people born after 1990 don't even know what a full-service gas station is (okay, or 8-tracks either).

Years ago, all gas stations were full-service. Self-service would have been considered an insult. A full-service gas station would fill your gas tank, wash your windows, check your oil and air in your tires for you...without asking! You never had to get out of your vehicle---you just sat there while someone else provided you all the customer service you needed. There were even "bays" for you to get a service job, or tires changed/installed, and some would even do electrical repairs like AC, alternator, distributor, etc. work! A true "one stop shop" for your vehicles health.

You don't know what you've missed if you never have pulled in to a full-service station.

Personally, I'm fortunate enough to work right next to a full-service gas station. Ricky McDougald is the head-chess over there and this guy is all about customer service.

I've never seen Ricky upset or mad, and I've seen him with more than he and his team could handle. He knows so much about what he does, but is so humble about it. I've seen him "plug a tire" (repair a hole in a tire for those of us who are not mechanically gifted) and not charge anything for it...unreal! If Ricky doesn't have the part you need, he'll personally walk down the street to the local Auto Parts store and pick up the right part for you.

Ricky also makes every customer fill at home...they have comfortable chairs inside with an awesome air conditioner system that keeps you cool on a hot Florida summer day. Or, if you want, they have a really nice wooden bench out front (in the shade by-the-way) that you can wait/rest on & read the paper, and even visit with friends or other customers while you're there. Mayberry has nothing on Ricky!

So if you ever have the fortune of traveling through Blountstown, Florida, take a moment and stop by McDougald's Station on Hwy. 71 for an ice-cold drink and a full-service tank of gas. You will not regret it.

Do you know a local business like this? I'd like to hear your story of a business that goes out of their way to serve their customers like Ricky does. Please add in the comment section (link below).

Until next time, remember “Your Success Is My Business."™

http://joeypeacock.com/

Nobody Can See The Wizard...?

The Wizard of Oz...a great, classic movie. One of my favorites! In fact, I have a special collectors edition laser disc of the movie (yes, I said laser disc---UGH!).

To me, one of the memorable lines of the movie is when the door man to Emerald City says, "Nobody gets in to see the Wizard! Not no way, not no how!" Of course in the end we understand why.

But, my fondness of the movie is besides the point of my message here: I know of a business, which I frequently go to and do business with, and in this business there are some "classic movie" posters around the place---one of them being the "Wizard of Oz". Since my wife and I enjoy watching classic movies, I've found this an interesting and pleasing side-note to the business. And the business has nothing to do with the entertainment industry, movies or anything with electronics or technology.

But here's the thing that most stands out to me about this business---over the door that leads to where the owner is, there is a sign with the above mentioned quote from the Wizard of Oz movie, "...Nobody gets to see the Wizard...". I think that in some way, the sign is a joke and relates to their Wizard of Oz poster, but then again it maybe is the way the owner thinks.

In all the times I've been in the business the owner has never once, no not once, ever greeted me, spoken to me or even thanked me for doing business there. I've never seen him come out to offer any of this to anyone else either. Hard to believe isn't it?

How do you have a business and not have some conversation or interaction...of any form...with the people who give you their money?!?

Today, I ask you to re-evaluate your business. Is it customer friendly? Does someone either in a leadership position or even the owner meet, greet, interact, talk with the customers that come to your store? Does your store have posted signs that discourage interaction?

If you have any similar situations where you've seen this happen to you, or if you know of a business that for whatever reason isn't customer friendly, I'd love to hear your comments (see link below).

Until next time, remember “Your Success Is My Business."™


http://joeypeacock.com/