Impact Today™

Labels: Anecdote, Communication

If you visit Niagara Falls in Canada you are certain to hear the story of The Great Zumbrati. Legend has it that Zumbrati was able to walk across the falls on a tightrope on a particular windy, rainy day.

Once on across an enthusiastic fan approached him, encouraging him to return to the other side while pushing a wheelbarrow.

Despite his reluctance in the poor weather, the fan kept encouraging him. “Do you really think I can do it,” he asked.

“Yes, definitely! You can do it,” the spectator exclaimed.

“Okay, I’ll do it" said Zumbrati to his fan. "You get in the wheelbarrow.”

Life Lesson: do not say something you are not prepared to back up with actions.

Labels: Anecdote, Communication, Leadership

Mrs. Smith was very excited as tonight she was going to be able to use her new kitchen for the first time. Just yesterday she had finished unpacking from their move to this quaint rural town from the big city. She ventured into town and found a neat little market. She was surprised that behind the meat counter their only two trays of beef and they looked oddly the same.

“What is the price of that meat?” she asked the butcher as she pointed to the tray on the left.

“Its three dollars a pound,” the Butcher replied.

“And what about the other?” she inquired as she pointed to the tray on the right.

“That tray is five dollars a pound,” the butcher informed her.

“Wow, they look the same,” she said in amazement. “What’s the difference between the two trays?”

“Nobody’s ever asked before,” said the butcher. “They are exactly the same.”

“Then why is one $2 more per pound?”

For the Butcher’s answer click here.

Labels: Anecdote, Sales, Strategy

The publisher made a startling discovery moments before 3 million copies of Teddy Roosevelt’s 19 full convention speech were to be printed. It seems permission had not been obtained to use a picture of him and his running mate, Governor Hiram Johnson, of California. Under copyright laws photographer would have been entitled to one dollar per printed copy.

The chairman of the campaign committee knew they needed an immediate release so decided to try little creativity. He sent a telegram to photographer’s Chicago studio that read, “Planning to issue 3 million copies Roosevelt speech with pictures Roosevelt and Johnson uncover. Great publicity opportunity for photographer. Will you pay us to use your photographs?”

Within the hour the photographer replied, “Appreciate opportunity, but can only pay $250.”

Life Lesson: creativity has its rewards.

Labels: Anecdote, Creativity, Strategy

A man finds himself standing before St. Peter at the gates to Heaven.

“Looking back at your life I cannot find any examples of you doing anything really good for others,” said St. Peter. “But at the same time I cannot find that you did anything really bad. I’ll tell you what, if you can give me just one example of how your life benefited someone else, I’ll let you in.”

Without hesitation the man said, “I was having breakfast at a small restaurant just outside of town when a gang of hoodlums started to abuse the waitress. I quickly grabbed the butcher knife the cook had left at the end of the counter and yelled at the apparent leader of the gang to leave her alone or I’d teach them a lesson.”

“Wow,” said St. Peter. “I do not know why that isn’t in my book. When did it happen?”

Labels: Anecdote, Leadership

With a tough economic environment and stiff competition, New York City florist Max Schling knew he had to try something unique. Simply telling people about his fresh-cut flowers in inventive and exciting arrangements wasn’t enough. He needed a way to get his message to the decision-makers.

After giving the situation much thought he decided on a solution that was extremely unconventional. He took out an ad in the New York Times entirely in shorthand.

The business men riding the subway into Manhattan were intrigued by the ad, which appeared in the mid-1960s. Max’s ad aroused their curiosity but they were unable to read the ad because they did not know shorthand. When they got to their offices thousands asked their secretaries to read the ad to them.

Max began receiving orders almost immediately because of what the secretaries read in the ad.

Read what the message by clicking here.

Labels: Anecdote, Sales

I was reading that a home built by television’s Extreme Home Makeover stars is in the process of being foreclosed. It was the first major home they had built when the show shifted from a “fix-up” format to the razzle-dazzle just build a new one format.

The recipients of the home were given a mansion deadhead its mortgage already paid off. In addition they have received college tuition for their children and a fund for the upkeep of the house.

Rather than take advantage of being debt-free the family decided to mortgage the home. Unable to make the payments the bank is selling the house.

This reminds me of the great Andrew Carnegie. Having gathered a lifetime’s wealth in the steel industry Carnegie believed he needed to get back to the community. He announced that he would build a library for any community that wanted one. While the community had to do was contribute 10 percent of the cost to establish a maintenance fund.

When asked why Carnegie replied, “you cannot push anyone up a ladder unless they are willing to climb a little themselves.”

Carnegie realize that it is one thing to give things of value but even better if that thing of value includes financial lesson to make a successful.

Labels: Anecdote

A minister, doctor, and consultant were playing golf one day and had the misfortune of playing behind a very slow foursome. The consultant inquired, "What's with these people? We've been waiting more than 30 minutes! This is ridiculous." The doctor quickly agreed, "They're hopeless, I've never seen such a lack of consideration."

Just then the minister spotted one of the ground crew approaching. He called him over to complain about the group.

The ground crew member told the trio the slow foursome was a group of former firefighters that had been blinded when putting out an inferno in the clubhouse. The course’s owner lets them play whenever they want.

With this new information the minister committed to pray for the sightless foursome.

“That’s nice,” added the doctor. “I know an optometrist that might be able to help them. I’ll call him tomorrow morning and see what he can do.”

Meanwhile, the consultant wondered why the former firemen couldn’t play at night.

Life Lesson: different people look at things differently.

Labels: Anecdote, Diversity, Problem_Solving

On his 76th mission, naval jet pilot Charles Plumb was shot down over enemy territory. Although he survived, he spent six years as a prisoner of war during which he learned many lessons about bravery and leadership.

Today, Plumb lectures to others about these experiences. But the experience most moving occurred after he returned home. A man approached Plumb as he dined in a restaurant prior to a speaking engagement.

“Are you the famous naval pilot Charles Plumb?” the man asked.

“Why yes I am,” replied Plumb. “How do you know me?”

“I packed your parachute,” the man replied.

Plumb was immediately overcome. He realized it was because of this man that that the stories of bravery and leadership were possible. Without his expertise in packing the parachute, Plumb would have perished in the crash.

From that day forward Plumb would challenge his audience with the simple question, “Who packs your parachutes?” He causes people to reflect on those that are behind the scenes, working without recognition to make an organization successful. Plumb confesses he never thought about the person that packed his parachute until that night in the restaurant. He nor any of the other pilots ever spoke to the sailors that packed their parachutes. Yet it is precisely because of people like the packer that others are able to survive.

Life Lesson: you are never to important to shake hands and thanks the people that make you successful.

Labels: Anecdote, Attitude, Leadership, Public_Speaking

Walking home from the bus stop an elderly lady spotted two young boys on the front porch of a home along the way. They were still in their school uniforms and were using their backpacks for altitude as they tried to reach the doorbell.

Her heart touched by the lads, she wondered why today’s parents don’t watch for their children when school is out.

So decided to help. Walking up to the house she gave the doorbell a good, solid push.

As soon as it rang the two boys picked up their backpacks and yelled, “Run!” and disappeared around the corner.

Life Lesson: Reacting before you get the facts can lead to embarrassment.

Labels: Anecdote, Behaviors, Conflict_Management

Father O’Reilly announced to his flock that the dinner celebrating his 25th anniversary at the parish would also serve as his retirement party. When the night of the final affair came, the festivities were to be opened by the mayor. Unfortunately city affairs caused the mayor to be late.

Father O’Reilly sensed those gathered for the dinner were becoming impatient for the program to begin, so he decided to take the microphone and share his reminiscences.

“It is hard to believe that it has been 25 years since I first stepped through the doorway of this great House of Worship,” he said. “I still remember the first confession I heard here. It was on the day that I arrived. To this day it remains the most outrageous error of judgment I’ve ever heard.”

“A young man, as I discerned from his voice, was extremely remorseful as he told me about stealing money from his parents so he could have an affair with the neighbor’s daughter. He then used some of the money to get a fake ID and used it to buy alcohol. The liquor left their judgment impaired and sure enough, the night had lead to promiscuity. Several weeks had passed and the boy thought he had contracted a venereal disease and needed money to get tested. He got the money by stealing out of his best friend’s till at work, resulting in the friend being fired. To get to the doctor’s office he stole the neighbor’s car in the hopes that his parent’s would not find out. The car was damaged when he accidentally sideswiped a mailbox leaving scratches on the passenger’s side of the car Since the neighbor rarely walked to that side of the vehicle, the boy did not tell his neighbor about the mishap.

Noticing the arrival of the mayor, the priest concluded. “Since that day I have had many more pleasant memories, for which I thank each and every one of you.”

The mayor, who was also a trustee of the church, took to the microphone to present the parish’s gift for his quarter decade of service.

“Today is a bittersweet day,” the mayor began. “We say goodbye to a wonderful spiritual leader. Although we’ll miss him, it is good to know he will enjoy his retirement.”

The mayor then continued to the astonishment of the crowd. Click here to read what he said.

Labels: Anecdote, Time_management

Using a rolled up newspaper is extremely effective as a training device when used properly. For example, let’s say you are trying to train your puppy not to chew up household items. While watching television one night the young dog is lying at you feet chomping your footwear into an unrecognizable state.
Immediate action on your part is required to prevent future footwear chow-downs. Without hesitation grabbed the dog and the newspaper roll and begin hitting yourself over the head repeatedly sating, “I forgot to watch my pup!”

Life Lesson: When your employees do harmful things, many times you are the one responsible.

Labels: Anecdote, Leadership

With productivity falling below their goals, the board of the ABC Widget Company decided to hire a consultant to investigate potential avenues for improvement. The consultant set out right away to tour the plant.

Soon after entering the shipping area he noticed a man standing next to one of the pillars holding up the roof. After introducing himself, the consultant asked the man what his job was.

“I am supposed to stand by this pillar,” the employee said.

Curious, the consultant asked why he was suppose to stand there.

“I don’t know. My boss told me to stand by the pillar so that is what I do.”

Thanking the man, the consultant continued on his tour. When he got to the production line he noticed another man standing next to another pillar.

“Good afternoon,” the consultant said before explaining who he was. “May I ask you what you do here?”

The man by the pillar said, “This is my job. I am supposed to stand by this pillar all day. I’ve been doing it for five years.”

The following month the consultant presented his findings as the board reconvened. A discussion of the board members ensued and soon a decision was made as to how to handle the situation.

When the discussion had concluded, the consultant was tasked with firing one of the two men standing by the pillars.

Why? Click here for the answer.

Labels: Anecdote, Decision_Making

A lady walked into the veterinarian’s office to pick up her cat. Apparently the staff was still at lunch as the entire office was empty. Suddenly she was startled by one of the dogs that was busy emptying the trash cans.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you,” said the dog to the lady’s amazement. “This is just part of my job.”

“That’s amazing,” said the woman. “Does the vet know you can talk?”

“No! and please don’t tell her – she’ll have me answering the phones, too.”

Life Lesson: Your employees may have hidden talents. It is up to you to draw out the talent before someone else finds it first.

Labels: Anecdote, Leadership

Much has been written about the advantages of humor at the office. It has been found to increase morale, retention, and productivity. We found the following on several internet sources and found it presents an excellent view of humor in the workplace.

It is reported to be real log entries from the pilots and maintenance workers at Qantas Airlines. You will recall that Qantas is the only airline Rain Man, the autistic older brother of Tom Cruise as portrayed by Dustin Hoffman in the movie would fly because they were the only airline never to have had an accident. Perhaps their use of humor is the reason for this success.

Pilot: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
Mechanic: Almost replaced left inside main tire.

Pilot: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
Mechanic: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

Pilot: Something loose in cockpit.
Mechanic: Something tightened in cockpit.

Pilot: Dead bugs on windshield.
Mechanic: Live bugs on back-order.

Pilot: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent.
Mechanic: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

To read the rest, click here.

Life Lesson: Keep a sense of humor.

Labels: Anecdote, Motivation

Labels: Anecdote, Behaviors

Labels: Anecdote, Attitude

Labels: Anecdote, Communication

Unresolved conflict is a major cause of lost productivity, low morale, and high turnover. Even though unresolved conflict is typically easy to identify long-term conflict is seldom addressed by management.

Many employees never get over the unresolved conflict without the efforts of someone equipped with conflict management skills. Instead they use their “conflict personality”. One of the four conflict personalities is passive-aggressive. Here is a story showing how it works:

A couple had a huge argument over dinner which led into a “cold-shoulder” period throughout the evening. The matter had not been resolved by bedtime so the couple skipped their usual verbal “good nights”.

However before going to bed the man, fearing he would oversleep for an important breakfast meeting, wrote a note asking her to wake him up by 7:00 the next morning. He did not think it would be a problem as she left for work each day at 6:30. He placed the note on her pillow and went to sleep.

He was groggy as he became conscious in the morning, quickly noticing the digits on the clock were an 8, 1, and 5. Furious, he lept to his feet and hastily got dressed.

“How could she do this to me?” he thought.

As he stormed through the kitchen toward the backdoor he spied a note taped to the coffeemaker. “It’s 7:00, dear, time to get up.”

Life Lesson: Resolve conflicts or you’ll pay the price.

Labels: Anecdote, Conflict_Management

One brother was tremendously jealousy of his younger brother. Their father was grooming both to take over his small store once he retired. However the father was constantly giving more responsibility to the younger brother and the older brother could stand it no longer. He went to his dad and asked him why it was that his younger sibling was given more responsibility.

“We can talk about it later this afternoon,” said the father. “Right now we are low on hammers in the store. Could you call ABC Supply and see if they have any in stock?”

The older brother did so immediately and returned to his dad. “They have a dozen available,” he said.

“That’s good,” the dad replied. “How much are they?”

“Let me call them back and find out.”

A few moments later the son returned to report the price was $100 for the dozen.

“How quickly they could be ordered if we take them,” asked the dad.

“It’ll only take a moment to call them and find out,” said the older son pleased that things seemed to be progressing so well.

In about ten minutes the son returned to explain they could deliver them the next day.

The father asked him to wait in the office for a minute as he called in the younger brother.

“We are low on hammers in the store. Could you call XYZ Supply and see if they have any in stock?”

The son waited as his dad did some paperwork and in about 5 minutes the younger brother returned.

“Yes, they do have hammers in stock at $100 for a dozen. I also found out that two dozen only costs $150, which means the second dozen would be half price.” I saw our cost for these same hammers is normally $10 each, so I went ahead and ordered them for tomorrow morning. If you would like to get the second dozen they gave me until this afternoon to call them back to modify the order.”

The older brother was really impressed.

“Thank you, dad, I understand.”

Life Lesson: Keep track of your competition – and co-workers are competition.

Labels: Anecdote, Reputation

Indian statesman and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi is noted for his humanity and selflessness. One day he was boarding a train with a number of companions and followers when his shoe suddenly fell off, cascading the train and platform.

Determining it could not be retrieved he took off the other shoe and threw it in the gap between train and platform. His companions were dumbfounded by this action.

Sensing their puzzlement Gandhi explained that whoever finds a single shoe finds nothing of value.

However the person finding a pair finds something worthwhile.

Life Lesson: Turn your misfortune into another’s blessing.

By the way, did you know my book, Life's Leadership Lessons, offers 53 anecdotal leadership lessons? It cover the most important challenges faced by leaders today. If you enjoy the Impact Today blog, you will love the book. Go to www.getmaximpact.com to learn more.

Labels: Anecdote, Attitude

If you have ever had to deal with an employee that offended a customer, you’ll appreciate this story:

During a cruise to Alaska, a lady was amazed at the beauty of the open field covered with purple wildflowers, the distant snow-capped mountains, the silvery water, playful wildlife on sea and land, and the glaciers. One day while on deck she saw a glacier that was especially beautiful. One of the ship’s crew was passing by so she pointed toward the magnificent glacier and asked what its was.

“That's some dumb glacier,” he replied.

She was furious. How could someone trivialize the beauty of such a picturesque formation? She ran to the ship’s Captain to complain.

After listening to her he apologized for her disappointment in his crew, reassuring her they loved the beauty offered by Alaska and was committed to making her vacation special. To make it up to her he invited her and her husband to join him at his table that evening.

Although she had been on many cruises she had only dreamed of having dinner at the captain’s table. How lucky it was that she cared enough about nature to be so upset when someone belittled its splendor.

Upon arriving in the dining room, her and her husband were escorted by the first mate to the Captain’s Table. It was elegant, with special flowers, fine china, and perfectly polished silver. A few other special guests were also at the table, each representing affluence, prestige, or some other element of high society.

Soon the Captain arrived. Outranked by social stature, she was delighted as the Captain made her feel comfortable. The dinner was an enchanting experience. As the dinner ended the Captain signaled to his first officer, who promptly brought a wrapped gift. He suggested she wait until she returned to her cabin to open it, a plea she humbly followed.

Her feet could not travel fast enough back to their quarters. As soon as she was inside she ripped off the wrapping paper revealing an inspiring picture of the glacier at sunset. At the bottom of the picture was the painting’s title, which brought a tear to her eye and caused her husband to laugh hysterically.

Click here to find out what the caption was.

Labels: Anecdote, Communication, Customer_Service

The next time someone is close to getting your goat, before you let their anger get to you, consider this wisdom from Buddha, Gautama.

While huddled in a teaching moment with a group of learners a passerby confronted him with an angry rage.

After listening patiently, the Buddha asked the learners, in front of the passerby, “If someone gives a gift to another, who then chooses to decline it, who now owns the gift?”

The learners thought for a while and then answered, “The giver.”

“Any fool can see that,” asserted the complaining passerby.

The Buddha continued, “Then it is also true that, when someone tries to abuse us or pass their anger onto us, we can choose to decline or accept the anger. By our response, we can choose who owns and keeps the bad feelings.”

Life Lesson: Don’t let others get to you.

Labels: Anecdote, Attitude

The importance of decision making became very clear to a referee in the Vietnamese soccer league. He was suspended for changing his mind after awarding a goal.

The league issued the suspension feeling the referee had given in to pressure from the opposing players, although the referee insists the defending team, which had stormed the field in protest, had nothing to do with his thinking.

The other referees in the game were also suspended because none of them reported the incident to the league.

Life Lesson #1: Trust your first instinct until real facts, not emotion, shows a need to change.
Life Lesson #2: When the person you work for makes a big mistake, you may suffer consequences.

Labels: Anecdote, Decision_Making

The zookeepers seemed helpless as each day as they entered the zoo to find the kangaroo had once again escaped his enclosure. Despite the zoo’s tight budget, they decided they need to make the enclosure’s fence taller, extending it to ten feet tall.

Certain this had solved the problem, they were shocked the next day to find the kangaroo hopping down one of the zoo’s walkways.

“Let’s double the fence,” they said, adding another ten feet to the fence.

Yet sure enough, the kangaroo was waiting for them near the front gate when the zookeepers reported for work.

They returned the kangaroo to his home and began discussing how much higher to make the fence. The kangaroo thought to himself how silly they were. After all, the kangaroo knew all they needed to do was lock the enclosure’s door at night.

Life Lesson: Sometimes we decide on a solution without understanding the problem.

Labels: Anecdote, Problem_Solving

The importance of learning is well illustrated by a recent documented event in Nagareyama, Japan. As reported by the Associated Press, Yosuke flew out of his cage only to be captured by the local police. The next morning the obviously valuable African Grey Parrot was taken from the police station, where he had been silent, to a local veterinary hospital. It was that the parrot gave one of the vets a name and full street address. The hospital checked it out and sure enough, the address and name matched what the bird had said – and they were missing their parrot.

All were reconnected and the Nakamura family is grateful for the two years they spent teaching Yosuke.

Life Lesson: Training pays off in unexpected ways.

Labels: Anecdote

Indian statesman and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi is noted for his humanity and selflessness. One day he was boarding a train with a number of companions and followers when his shoe suddenly fell off, cascading the train and platform.

Determining it could not be retrieved he took off the other shoe and threw it in the gap between train and platform. His companions were dumbfounded by this action.

Sensing their puzzlement Gandhi explained that whoever finds a single shoe finds nothing of value.

However the person finding a pair finds something worthwhile.

Life Lesson: Turn your misfortune into another’s blessing.

Labels: Anecdote, Leadership

Nancy had worked very hard throughout her career. Whenever there was an opportunity to with those ranked higher than her, she took it. She signed up for teams and committees whenever she knew the group had someone that had input in who would be promoted. She maintained a pleasant attitude throughout the day, but really turned it on when a supervisor was nearby. It was her belief that by maximizing her productivity and visibility she would be in line for the next higher job.

Her peers did not see it the same way, accusing her of being a kiss-up. Things really got out of hand when she got her last promotion.

To show their opinion that Nancy was a kiss-up they began to kiss the mirror in the ladies’ room, leaving lip prints for all to see.

One day another high-ranking female in the company visited Nancy’s department when nature called. Upon returning to Nancy’s office she asked Nancy why all the lip prints were on the mirrors.

Nancy could take no more.

She called all the women into the ladies’ room for a meeting to stop the lip prints once and for all.

To read what she did, click here.

Life Lesson: Problem solving takes creativity.

Labels: Anecdote, Leadership, Problem_Solving

Labels: Anecdote, Strategy

Labels: Anecdote, Creativity

Despite the rather gruesome title, this is a delightful little story of a young girl with an inquisitive mind. One day she was watching her mother make dinner. The main course was going to be baked fish. She observed her mother unwrap the fish and promptly cut off the head and tail before placing the balance of the fish in the baking pan. Inquisitive, as many young children are, she asked her mother why she had done so.

Her mother thought for a while before saying, “I've always done it that way - that's how grandma baked fish.”

The answer bothered the girl, but she did not explore further until the next time she was at her grandma’s house.

“Do you cut the head and tail off a fish before baking it?” she asked.

“Yes,” said her grandmother.

“Why?”

To get the real reason the heads were cut off the fish, click here.

Labels: Anecdote, Time_management

When it comes to sales figures, profit margins, turnover, or any other business barometer, do not be complacent about being average. Although average is better than below average, it is not success – as these hunters prove:

Three statisticians were hunting in the woods. One of them pointed to a plump pheasant in a tree. All three aimed their rifles. The first fired, missing the bird by a couple of inches to the left. Immediately the second fired, missing a couple of inches to the right. The third immediately put down his gun exclaiming, “Great shooting, on average I reckon we got it.”

Life Lesson: Average doesn’t put dinner on the table.

Labels: Anecdote, Problem_Solving

Nancy opened the door to find the smiling face of a well-polished salesperson. “Good afternoon,” he said, “May I have a moment of your time to demonstrate the newest technology in vacuum cleaners?”

“I haven’t got any money,” she said as she started to close the door.

But the salesperson had moved his foot into the door well, preventing its closure. “But Madame, you at least owe it to yourself to see the demonstration.” No quicker were the words out of his mouth than he was emptying a bag of dirt onto the carpet.

Although she looked panicked he reassured her, “if this does not pick up all the dirt I will personally eat it.”

Without missing a beat she replied, “Well I hope you have a good appetite because they turned off my electricity this morning.”

It is important for salespeople to take the time to establish rapport before starting and sales presentation. Had this salesperson been listening when she said she had no money he would not have had to eat dirt later.

Life Lesson: Salespeople need to build relationships.

Labels: Anecdote, Sales

The following report was turned in by investigators following a house fire in Rochester, Michigan.

The fire began when an air pump for an aquarium short circuited at the outlet, generating sparks that ignited items stored under the aquarium directly in front of the electrical outlet. As the papers burned, they heated the water in the aquarium causing the water to heat to a temperature sufficient enough to cause the glass sides of the aquarium to break as the seals popped. The water, rushing out of the ruptured aquarium, extinguished the fire preventing any significant damage to the house. All the fish died.

Life Lesson: Sometimes you just get lucky.

Labels: Anecdote

Life Lesson: Bad motives often lead to failure.

When San Francisco’s Angela was refused a divorce by her husband, John, she decided drastic steps were in order. She convinced her lover, an auto mechanic, to cut the brake line on John’s car. Blinded by his love, the mechanic obliged.

Fate was on John’s side as soon after the dastardly deed was done a fourth person entered the scene. It was none other than Errol, a car thief. He stole John’s car that same night but could not stop at the bottom of one of the city’s steep hills. Errol died immediately in a horrible collision.

Police investigators eventually discovered the brake line tampering was discovered and Angela and her lover were sent to jail.

John now refers to Errol as his hero.

Labels: Anecdote, Motivation

Are you a lateral thinker? Read this story and you will find out.

Labels: Anecdote, Creativity

Life Lesson: You cannot get away with trying to cheat customers.

Sometimes even the most ethical people might try to pull a fast one. If that ever happens to you, remember the story of this butcher:

Anxious to go home, the butcher was happy when a lady came into the shop because he was sure she’d buy his one remaining chicken. He placed it on the scale and said, “That will be $5.78,” he said.

“Hmm, that’s too small for my hungry bunch,” said the woman. “Do you have anything larger?”

Desperation overtook good judgment as he returned the bird to the refrigerator. After pausing a moment he took it out again.

“This one,” he said faintly, “will be $6.75.”

“That’s a little better, I’ll take it,” she said. Then thinking it over she added, “You know what, I better take both of them.”

Labels: Anecdote, Customer_Service

Life Lesson: Not every mistake ends in disaster.

A small marketing company was engaged to help with a mailing to Fortune 500 companies. To keep costs down they gave the assignment to an entry level clerk – after all it was just a mail merge.

When the novice first looked at the address list, kept on an Excel spreadsheet, it was noticed the addresses were not in alphabetical order. Highlighting the company name column and hitting “sort”, the clerk quickly rearranged the list. Or did it?

In reality, only the company names were sorted, thereby the names were now on lines with the addresses of another company. The clerk did not notice the change and nobody double checked the work – so the mailing went out.

Disaster? No!

The mailing was a huge success. It seems people had a insatiable desire to read the other company’s mail.

Remember this for your next marketing campaign. Make sure it is creative enough to get the target’s interest.

Labels: Anecdote

Yvonne, the clerk I wrote about in the difficult personality chapter of Life’s Leadership Lessons, once told me a joke. I remember it because it was such a great example of how to achieve success when it seems everyone is taking swings at you. Here is how the story goes:

An ant colony had established itself in the sand trap at the country club. Life was typically quiet and peaceful as the ants went about their daily busy. However one afternoon the tranquility was suddenly broken when a golf ball landed smack dab in the middle of the main entrance to the colony’s underground tunnels. The ants tried to move the ball, but to no avail – it was simply too big and heavy.

Soon two men carrying clubs walked toward the ball and soon one would be standing next to it waving a club. He swing and missed the ball. Ant-filled sand was flying through the air and when it landed hundreds of ants were dead. The man took a small step forward and raised his club again. He swung even harder than before, sending another flume into the air. More ants were dead.

After a few more readjustment in where he stood, a few more swings, and more dead ants, the ball remained untouched.

Finally there were only two ants left. As the man got ready for another swing, one ant turned to the other and said, “It looks like the only way we are going to survive is if we get on the ball.”

Morale of the story: no matter how many times they swing at you, keep alert – stay on the ball.

Labels: Anecdote, Attitude, Strategy

Life Lesson: Know when to stop talking.

The teacher interrupted the conversation when one of the students say, “I don't know nothing about it.” To the educator this was an excellent opportunity to teach the class about double negatives and correct grammar.

The teacher explained, “In the English language a double negative makes the statement positive, so your assertion that you ‘don't know nothing about it’ is actually an admission that you do know something about it.”

Some of the class seemed very interested, so the teacher went on to demonstrate more of his knowledge of world languages. “Of course not all languages operate according to the same grammatical rules, for example, in Russian, a double negative remains negative, although perhaps surprisingly, there is not a single language anywhere in the world in which a double positive makes a negative.”

Suddenly a voice from the back of the classroom called out, “Yeah, Yeah.”

Labels: Anecdote, Communication, Story

Life Lesson: New experiences can cause irrational results.

It was the young salesperson’s first road trip and the first time he had ever been in a hotel. After checking in he went to his room. He checked out all the amenities and hung up his clothes before getting ready to go out to dinner. Then he had a problem and had to call the front desk.

“You've given me a room without an exit. How do I get out?”

The desk clerk said, “Sir, that's ridiculous! Have you looked for the door?”

The man said, “Well, one door goes into the bathroom and another is for the closet. The only other door has a ‘do not disturb’ sign on it.”

New employees often have the same problem as this man. We know the terminology, policies, and corporate culture yet most businesses do not provide an effective employee orientation program