Author: louis

When it comes to thinking about our children’s health, vision impairments are probably not the first ailments that come to mind.  However, more than 12.1 million school-age children (nearly 25%) have vision impairments. 

The American Optometric Association recommends vision testing begin at age 3, though, many children to do receive their first eye exam until after they enter school when symptoms of vision deficiencies may first become apparent.  The most common complaint you may hear from a child or his or her teacher is the child having difficulty reading and copying from the board in class.  Some other signs that your child might be experiencing impaired vision are:

• Wandering or crossed eyes
• Blurred or double vision
• Headaches or pains in the eyes
• Holding books close to read or sitting to close to the TV
• Squinting
• Sensitivity to light
• Burning, itching, watery eyes or inexplicable redness in the eyes

There are many different conditions that can affect the eyes.   However, the most common types of eye problems seen in children are:

• Myopia (nearsightedness)
• Hyperopia (farsightedness)
• Strabismus (crossed eyes)
• Amblyopia (lazy eye)

Most eye problems in children can be corrected if detected and treated early.  However, many problems can result in vision loss if left untreated.  With this being said, let me take this opportunity to remind you that covered employees of the Montgomery Enterprises vision plan and their covered dependents are eligible to  receive an annual eye exam with a network provider for a copay of $10.  Benefits for glasses or contacts are also available as defined by our vision plan.  To find a network provider in your area, print a copy of your ID card and find benefit information, you may visit www.guardiananytime.com or contact me for assistance.

-Kandi

Teamwork is the ability to work as a group toward a common vision, even if that vision becomes extremely blurry.  ~Author Unknown

In the world of customer service, remembering your customer’s name and details of their lives are crucial to maintaining a high level of service.  A couple of weeks ago I filled in at Hamilton to help Michelle on a busy Friday and witnessed first hand this level of service.  Before I even saw a customer about to enter the store, Michelle already had their customer card pulled in order to process their transaction.  She greeted every single customer that walked in the store by name.  Before the day was over, I felt like I was on a game show called “Name that Customer.”  The customers obviously loved and appreciated it by the looks on their faces.  I could tell that it made each of them feel like they were important which is what we should always strive to do.  Good job Michelle!!

Remember that a person’s name is, to that person, the sweetest sound in any language; it is a badge of individuality.  Remembering someone’s name could mean the difference between closing a sale or blowing the deal. It can also be the difference between making an important connection or being forgotten as soon as you leave the room.

In summary, remembering a person’s name is one of the best business moves you’ll ever make.

Rachel

I would like to recognize Melissa and Justin from Simple Pawn for going above and beyond this week.  Alex, the Simple Pawn Manager, has been in Dallas this week participating in sales training from a pawn consultant.  While he has been away, Melissa and Justin have not only been keeping up their normal duties, but also taking care of the managerial duties that fall under Alex.  Yesterday I visited the store during a busy part of the day and witnessed both of them greeting customers at the door and offering excellent customer service.  The growth we are experiencing at Simple Pawn is a direct reflection of actions like these!

Great Job!

Louis

The month of August has been designated as National Immunization Awareness Month which just so happens to coincide with the beginning of the new school year.  For those of us who are parents, we dread the day we must take our children for their required shots prior to attending daycare, preschool and big boy/girl school.  However, we do it because we understand how these valuable vaccinations help prevent the spread of serious illnesses such as chickenpox, measles, mumps, whooping cough, etc.  The series of shots our little ones begin as a newborn protect not only our children, but also all other children, family members and friends they will come in contact with.   Although infants and school-age children are the first that come to mind when talking about immunizations, adults need vaccinations to stay healthy as well.  It is recommended that all adults be vaccinated for influenza, pneumonia, tetanus and other vaccine-preventable diseases on a regular basis. 

I want to take this opportunity to not only remind you of the importance of vaccinations, but also to make you aware that these immunizations may be covered by your health insurance.  Employees and their dependents covered by health insurance such as the Montgomery Enterprises group health plan may receive vaccinations free of charge.  A primary focus of many health insurance companies is the prevention of serious contagious diseases.  Therefore, these companies will pay 100% of the cost of immunizations for both children and adults based on a pre-determined set of guidelines.  Feel free to contact me for a list of immunizations and other wellness services covered by the Montgomery Enterprises group health insurance plan.  Also, for a list of required and recommended immunizations, you may refer to the Center for Disease Control website or contact your local health department or primary health care provider.  Remember, from infants to senior citizens, we never outgrow immunizations.

– Kandi

Vaccines are the tugboats of prevention health.  – William Foege

Vaccines save lives; fear endangers them.  It’s a simple message parents need to keep hearing.  – Jeffrey Kluger

At the beginning of July we set some very aggressive goals for Approved Auto.  I am very happy to report they accomplished 3 of the 4 goals set for the month.  These goals were met by working smarter and as a team.  Laken, Zack, and the entire staff did a great job developing a plan to accomplish their goals and then following through and executing the plan.  I look forward to many more goals being met in the future.

Have a great day….Louis

Each time I visit Amory CTE, I always love to see what April has drawn on the board as you walk in the front of the store.  For this blog, I thought I would share her most recent creation.  All three ladies at this store do an awesome job.  I am not only impressed by their strong work ethic and ability to continually succeed but I am also very thankful for their friendship.  Good job ladies – a perfect audit, lots of laughs and Bic Macs.  Does it get any better? – Rachel

I have recently been reading a book that references Henry Ford a great deal.  The booked sparked my interest to do a little online research of Ford and I came across several of his quotes that I found to be very interesting.  I hope you enjoy them as well:

“If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.”  

“Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice”  

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty.  Anyone who keeps learning stays young.”  

“Failure is simply an opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.”  

“You can’t learn in school what the world is going to do next year.”  

“You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.”

I hope you have a great day….Louis

One of our favorite blog topics is to recognize an employee for going above and beyond.  Today I would like to recognize Joyce Williams from our Saltillo office.  Joyce worked the auto auction last Saturday and did an outstanding job giving superior customer service.  Joyce was working the preregistration table and greeting customers as they arrive at the auction.  She was always greeting them with a smile and calling several of them by name.  As she was handing out keys to customers at the end of the day, she continued by sincerely thanking customers for their business and asking them to come back next auction.  I know Joyce brings this same attitude to her office in Saltillo on a daily basis.  Great job Joyce!

Have a great day……Louis

I would like to congratulate our entire staff at Approved Auto Sales for crossing a milestone last week.  We have experienced a lot of growth and change at Approved Auto over the last six months.  There are a lot of moving parts to running a buy here pay here car lot: wholesale buyers, mechanics, detail guys, salesmen, collection people, receptionist, and management.  It takes all these parts working together as a well oiled machine to be successful.  The growth at Approved is a direct reflection of the growth of all the people that make up the company.  I believe the future is bright and there will be many more milestones crossed in the future!

We Say Yes!- Sammy Stephens

Change is inevitable, growth is optional– John C. Maxwell

Have a great day….Louis