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Spreading Contagious EnthusiasmTM |
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In This Issue:
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February 2009
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New Book with Ken Blanchard
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News at Barbara Glanz Communications, Inc.
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Quotes of the Month -- Appreciation
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A Customer Service Story
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Since I was traveling in early 2009 and then had some major sinus surgery which took me out of commission for several weeks, this is the first time I have been in contact with all of you. It is shaping up to be a difficult year for both individuals and organizations; however, now is the time, more than ever, to keep spirits and morale high. The good news is that kindness, caring, encouragement, appreciation, and recognition cost no money and very little time, so the work I am doing is helping everyone focus on what is truly important -- and that is relationships.
My personal theme for this year is "REBUILDING RELATIONSHIPS." Our lives sometimes get so very busy that we don't take time to stay in contact with those friends and clients who mean so much to us, and therefore, we lose much joy in our lives. So, during this year of having to tighten our belts and do more with less, may your primary focus be on honoring and appreciating those people who have brought support and affirmation to your lives, both today and in the past.
Blessings,
Barbara
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Business:
* Social Networking -- we have entered the new dimension of social networking, so please connect with us on Facebook, Linked-In, Plaxo, and/or Twitter. We are just now learning about Plinky!
* Travel -- I will be leaving for the Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu March 6 - 21. Then we are negotiating speaking engagements in Singapore, China, and France for later this spring.
* New employee -- Tara O'Gorman has been my wonderful assistant for over a year now, and we have just hired Christy Hightower to do some marketing for us. She comes from California and is experienced in the speaking industry, so please welcome her if she calls.
Personal:
* Cruise -- I took a wonderful four day cruise from Tampa to Cozumel, Mexico, with my youngest daughter, Erin, in early January. It was a BARGAIN -- four days and nights on Carnival for $249 each! We had a wonderful time, and Erin even won $65 on the nickel slot machines and $25 on the penny ones. ;-)
* Surgery -- Just days after we got back, I had some major sinus surgery. I have been struggling with the asthma triad consisting of mild asthma, polyps, and a fatal allergy to aspirin since 1980, and finally decided I needed to be able to breathe through my nose! I had a wonderful doctor, and many amazing "God" things happened which you can read about on my blog. I had wonderful friends who helped me, and I am nearly back to normal at last. It is amazing how much a general anesthetic takes out of a person! I am so grateful to all those who remembered me in your thoughts and prayers.
* Visitors-- My daughter, Gretchen, and her husband, Randy, Owen 3 1/2 and Simon 1 1/2 were here for 10 days this month. The little ones loved the beach and pool, and I loved being "GrannaBubba!" We had a Valentine's party and also took them to their first circus. What a JOY to become children again and see things through their eyes! Being a grandparent is the best of blessings.
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"Ready for Bear"
Linda Blackman, a speaker friend of mine, shared with me a
favorite expression her husband, Laurie, uses whenever he is
doing somethingimportant such as giving a presentation: "I'm
ready for bear!" Likewise,whenever Linda is on the road or
giving a presentation herself, Laurie always sends her a little
stuffed bear in honor of his support and encouragement, tying
back to this favorite expression.
On the evening before Valentine's Day, Linda was at their
home in Naples,Florida, while Laurie was going to be giving a
very important presentation in New Orleans for a pharmaceutical
company. Laurie, also known as Laurence A. Jacobs, MD, who
has been consistently selected as one of America's top doctors
in Reproductive Endocrinology, was chosen by the
pharmaceutical company to address a group of nurses
about basic medicine and infertility.
As a surprise to her husband, Linda wanted to send him a bear
before his talk. She called the hotel where her husband was
staying - the New Orleans St. Charles Avenue Hilton. James
answered the phone and Linda asked if the hotel gift shop had
any kind of stuffed bearthey could send to her husband's room.
James put Linda on hold. He came back moments later and
said he was sorry but the gift shop only carried sundries. James
thought Linda wanted to send her husband a Valentine's Day
Bear. Linda went on to explain why she wanted the bear and
how important it was to get it to her husband before his
presentation the next day and asked James if he might be able
to go somewhere close and pick one up and she would send
him a check.
His response was, "Ma'am, do you realize that is is MARDI
GRAS, and this whole city is wall to wall people?????" Linda
said she had forgotten that and very disappointedly, was
about to end the conversation when James asked her to hold
on again.
This time when James came back on the phone, he said he
asked his manager for the 'ok' to stop at a drugstore on the
way to work the next day and get a bear. Linda was
thrilled and asked him to let her know how much she would
end up owing him and where to send the money.
James could hardly wait to say, "My manager said not to worry
about paying for the bear. We'll take care of it." As Linda
thanked James for his amazing customer service, he added,
"I don't mind at all. This will be fun."
James wanted to know what to write on the card that would
accompany the bear. Linda's answer: "Ready for bear. I love
you. Linda." Well, as soon as James heard this, he suggested
leaving a little mystery, and he suggested instead to simply
write: "Ready for bear! I love you."
The next morning, Linda called James to again say thank you.
He eagerly reported that he had just personally made the
special delivery to Dr. Jacobs and had dressed the bear in
Mardi Gras beads and Valentine's Day hearts.
As a grateful Linda talked to James Simmers for a few more
minutes, she not only found out his last name, but she also
found out that a mere twenty-four hours before, James had
begun his first day of work at the hotel. What a way to get
started on a new job!
And, what a wonderful sense of humor and good heart this
young man had to go out of his way for a perfect stranger
and then not even charge her what it cost him! We need
more people like this in the world.
WILL YOU BE ONE OF THEM?????
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"Praise is the single most powerful tool a supervisor at any level has at his or her disposal. Everyone wants, needs, and craves praise. It is effective -- and free!"
Ken Slattery
Training Manager, BASF
"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."
"The most attractive people in the world are the ones who are interested in others - turned outward in cheerfulness, kindness, appreciation, instead of turned inward to be constantly centered in themselves."
Pat Boone
"You who are letting-your friend's heart ache for a word of appreciation or sympathy, which you mean to give him someday-the time is short!"
Phillips Brooks
"People want to be appreciated, not impressed. They want to be regarded as human beings, not as mere sounding boards for other people's egos. They want to be treated as an end in themselves, not as a means toward the gratification of another's vanity."
Sydney J. Harris
"Cheerfulness means a contented spirit; a pure heart, a kind and loving disposition; it means humility and charity, a generous appreciation of others, and a modest opinion of self."
William Makepeace Thackeray
"Lord, help me to remain childlike in my appreciation for life. Please slow me down...that I can always see the extraordinary in the ordinary."
Carol Hamblet Adams
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© Barbara Glanz Communications, Inc. 2008. All Rights Reserved.
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