Flickr photo by Jan Tik

-
If you are going to tell someone “this is the best we can do.“ Make sure it’s the truth!

This weekend I had to pick up a tux for a family member from a nation wide chain store that specializes in men’s suits, tuxes, and accessories.   When I arrived there was one salesman working with a customer and two gals who were sitting behind a desk, both completing a phone call.    The gals acknowledged I was waiting and let me know it would just be a minute.

A moment later the salesman came over and and asked how he could help me.   I told him why I was there and he proceeded to walk over to a rack, grab the bag with the tux, and bring it over to me.   As he was handing me the bag he noticed the zipper was broken from the top to the bottom of the bag . . . He says to me
-

“the zipper is broken, but this is the best we can do.”

Just as he said that one of the gals who was now  finished with her phone call grabbed the bag from his hand and walked over to the rack and put the tux I was picking up in another bag with a zipper that worked.

Really . . . that’s the best they can do?  That’s a pretty bold statement for such a lazy display of service.   It doesn’t make me want to ever go there again.
-
Perhaps this salesman wasn’t feeling well or maybe he was out late the night before or maybe he is really just that disengaged in his job.  Whatever the case I’m pretty sure that if George A. Zimmer had witnessed this service he would have given a few coaching pointers and taken his employee back to customer service 101.  This certainly isn’t good for an organization . . . see “The Cost of Average”

It’s important for each of us to take a moment and ask ourselves:

“Am I doing the best I can?”

And if not:

• Is this acceptable? (for you or those depending on you)
  
• If you continue, will we reach our goals? (do you even have goals? do you know what your best is?)
  
• What needs to change for you to take a new approach?
  

The challenge that each of us are faced with is we don’t take the time to ask “Am I doing the best I can?” Take the time and ask!  Your life will change.  Your business will change.  The impact you have on the world around you will change!

How different would our country be if everyone asked this of themselves?

Jason Kiesau Business Leadership, Random Experiences

Flickr Photo by: Leo Reynolds

This morning I was having coffee with a friend who does similar work that I do.  I was telling him about a couple of situations I found myself in over the past two weeks where I was unhappy with my reaction in each.   In both situations I encountered two individuals . . . both of which might be considered ‘toxic’.   They became negative and were persistent in pulling me into to the dark with them.

They succeeded.

As I was telling my story today, my friend opened up his note book, wrote something down, and handed me the paper.  It said:

“Never wrestle with pigs in shit.   The shit stinks and the pigs like it.”

So true . . .  So true . . .

We all know people who love to be pigs.   They are judgmental and critical towards others and in many situations they are directing their inward frustrations on anyone they can find.    It’s an unfortunate way to live, but if that is what they want . . . more power too them.

The challenge becomes, walking the other way when you smell them coming.

Jason Kiesau Personal Leadership, Random Experiences

When anyone ever talks to me about human behavior or social issues I openly express that nothing surprises me as I truly believe everyone is crazy to a certain extent . . . myself included.   Today validated that for me even further.

After spending three hours in the library working on stuff for my business I decided I would run across the street to the grocery store and get some Chinese food.  I don’t know what they put in it, but lately I have been addicted to their sesame chicken and pineapple chicken meal.

Man it’s GOOD stuff.

Flickr Photo by DebFreemansSmudge

I pull into the parking lot and find a spot about half way down the aisle.  As I am walking up I see a car right in front of the automatic doors that is pulled up five feet past the curb into the walk way.   I look in the car and I see an elderly woman so I cut her some slack.  As I get closer I see her partner in crime . . . another elderly woman, I’d say in her 80′s climbing into the car with her.   I hear her say . . . “I just gave it a push . . . someone will get it.”   As I change my attention from the car to the door I see a cart about as close to the doors as possible with out the doors actually being able to hit it.   She wasn’t lying . . . she pushed the cart in the doors and just left it.

Now, this situation made me chuckle a bit . . . but I said to myself  “does she get a pass because or her age?”   I mean, if I saw a 15 year old kid do that I as I’m sure many people would say that kid had no manners and that would validate our belief that the world is going to “hell in a hand-basket.”

What do you think?  Does she get a pass because of her age?

I put the cart away and went upon my way to enjoy my lunch.  Once I finished I ran and grabbed something to drink and I headed for the express line . . . you know the line where the BIG sign says “12 Items or Less”.   I get there and in front of me was another pair of elderly trouble makers who had like 25 items in their cart.   12 ITEMS OR LESS!!!

Is this some sick April Fool’s joke?

Are all those times I wasn’t respectful to my parents or those older than me coming back to haunt me?  Perhaps the senior citizens have banded together and have decided to revolt against everyone younger.

Wouldn’t that be interesting . . .

Jason Kiesau Random Experiences