“Politeness costs nothing but is priceless. Being effective means getting things done. If you have something to sell, don’t shout from the bottom of a well. Never put off until tomorrow what can be done today. You should inspect what you expect. “
It is because of our attachment to things that we suffer.
By letting go we find that we have not lost anything except our attachment.
Sogyal Rinpoche
What did the new Dunkin Donuts store owner do right? The sign says it all…”Free Medium Coffee”. Do you think he drove traffic to his new store? Lots. I had to look twice at the second line; “No Purchase Necessary.”
That’s different.
Free just feels different.
New businesses offer discounts, coupons and rebates all the time. They imply, “We’ll give you a good deal if you come check us out.” Free, on the other hand, says, “We’re willing to invest in a relationship with you and know we’ll need to earn your business.”
Now flip it. How obliged do you feel after hunting for the coupon, clipping it out, sorting it by category and then remembering to use it before it expires? You feel like they owe you the coffee, don’t you? At best coupons and other promotions offer a balanced exchange; at worst, buyers feel distrust about the process. How much pain have you felt due to coupon or rebate issues? One study suggested that 50% of all rebates never get turned in. OfficeMax received accolades for bidding farewell to rebates in 2006 and Best Buy followed last year on many products.
Now let’s look at the first three days since the sign went up:
Day #1 – On your first visit, you look around as you approach the counter with caution. Suspicious of a catch, you place your order, “I saw your sign and I’d like a free medium coffee.” When the person on the other side of the counter smiles and promptly pours your Dunkin Decaf, you wonder if the other shoe will drop. When you realize there’s no string attached, they just went from stranger to friend.
Day #2 – You know you’re getting a donut with the coffee. Why? Because you feel a strange sense of gratitude for a second cup of free coffee. I bet you never felt a sense of appreciation after using coupons? (By the way, after day #1, you told at least three friends about the free medium coffee because you like to give away free stuff too, even if it’s someone else’s).
Day #3 – “Dunkin Decaf, cream, no sugar Mr. Slatin?” says the lady in a pink and orange uniform. “Thanks for remembering Janice, let me also get a half dozen glazed and a half dozen with sprinkles, an egg, bacon and cheese croissant and a box of munchkins.”
What just happened?
The seller created value by giving you something without expecting anything in return. Did he have a previous relationship with you? No. But now he does. He changed the feeling you had about his product or service from neutral to positive. Warm fuzzies. Why are warm fuzzies important? Well despite popular belief – all decisions are based on emotion and justified by logic. Dunkin Donuts went through your mouth to get to your heart. What’s your “free medium coffee”?
Find your why
You can do what you think you cannot do. First you must change your thinking.
Most perceived limitations have some basis in fact. Yet every limitation that holds you back is supported in large measure by your assumption that it is a limitation.
By changing your assumptions, you can change the whole landscape of your possibilities. What once were limitations no longer are limitations.
Look at life from the perspective of purpose. Realize that there is a way to successfully express whatever authentic purpose is within you.
If you focus merely on how to get it done, you’ll find that many of the paths are blocked. Focus instead on why you must, and you’ll open yourself to a new set of workable, accessible and achievable strategies.
What do you think you cannot do? Find your why, and you’ll see the way.
Such human qualities as morality, compassion, decency, wisdom have been the foundations of all civilizations. These qualities must be cultivated and sustained through systematic moral education in a conductive social environment, so that a more humane world may emerge.
– His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Traveling is one thing that a Leader needs to do to be a global
leader, this maybe through internet or actual travel. However,
in the long run, actual travel would certainly be even more
beneficial… let’s start the exploration.
First, well, what about traveling? Why make such a fuss about it?
And what do we actually get out of it?
Readers, Leaders, mind you that Leadership is about people not
machines. It’s about people management… about directing the
ship to its destination. See, while management is concerned with
the inanimate… material and financial resources, machinery,
products, marketing; Leadership, on the other hand, is concerned
with people; it is a psychological… or if you like, a spiritual
connection between human beings.
With this, good communication skills is definitely a key factor.
“To succeed or even to survive in this most difficult of roles requires
of the Chief Executive good health, humour, a resilience not given
to many, and the powers of persuasion and personal leadership
needed in both boardroom and workshop.” – Jan Hildreth
Notice, for this quotation, the emphasis on forms of communication
is seen through the boldly printed letters.
But, what about travel? Logically, if you do not travel then how could
you communicate?
Nevertheless, traveling brings with you important aspects like having
the actual view of the investment… the feel of the environment and
culture… and most importantly, strengthening that human connection
that would lead to more cooperation and opportunities.
See, having an actual view of the investment would make you feel
more confident that you are indeed making the right decision.
While feeling the environment and culture makes you understand
your counterparts even more, thereby knowing your market better
and how to effectively motivate on this side of the fence. Just bear
in mind, respect and tolerance is essential anywhere in the world.
“Goodwill is earned by many acts; it can be lost by one.”
Still wait. Cooperation? Opportunities?
Yes, you heard me right. If you know how to play your cards well,
you could finally get that dream job offer… as for in many cases,
it is not what you know but who you know that gets you that job.
So, keep walking, talking, and listening to success…
and do not forget to show that million dollar smile.
Remember…
“Traveling creates Opportunities…”
“We can stop waiting for others to give us what we need and take responsibility for ourselves. When we do, the gates to freedom will swing wide. Walk through. “