Time for a Check Up

check up

Today is a busy day for me as I will spend most of the day today discussing health issues. . . my personal health and the health of our company.

As most near forty year olds I do get a check up by my local medical family practitioner once a year in order to keep a close eye on my overall health.  I have a visit scheduled with Dr. Arriola this morning and in preparation for this morning’s appointment I went last week and had blood work done.  By doing so they will check my cholesterol, triglycerides and lots of other things that, although I don’t know what they mean, effect my health greatly.  Since I have been exercising, running and eating well over the last year I expect to get a clean bill of health.

Later on this morning the management team and I will get news regarding the health of our company.  Over the past few weeks, team members and hundreds of our customers completed surveys checking their level of engagement with the company.  A healthy company has high levels of engagement among both team members and its customers.

Executives with the company that conducted the surveys will be on hand today in Fulton to discuss the results with us.  Basically, we find out this morning how healthy our company is.  Not only will we find out how healthy our company is by seeing the figures for team member and customer engagement but we will also gain insight into how we can make our company healthier by performing the proper exercises.

I am excited about getting today’s results and I look forward to building an even healthier company.  Good luck to everyone in finishing this month out strong!! — Luke

“There ‘s nothing more important than our good health – that’s our principal capital asset.”  U.S. Sen. Arlen Spector

Continue ReadingTime for a Check Up

2 Special Days

Last Friday we held our Grand Opening and ribbon cutting for Choice Pawn Tupelo.  A huge crowd was on hand as we had Seth Gold from TV’s Hardcore Pawn on hand signing autographs.  Our Grand Opening was a spectacular success!  Thanks to all those who worked so hard to help us get open.

Choicepawntupeloribbon

 

Today is a very special day as well as later this morning we will be holding our monthly P&L meeting with the district managers.  I am anxious to see how we performed and looking forward to seeing which district I will be enjoying dinner with.  Be on the lookout for a blast email from Meredith later today announcing which district came out on top.

I hope everyone has a great week! — Luke

“If you really want to do something you will find a way.  If you don’t you’ll find an excuse.”  Jim Rohn

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Customer Service Transcends the Language Barrier

During the 4th of July holidays I took an extended weekend vacation in order to go overseas and take in the Festival of San Fermin.  Most often, this festival is simply called the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain.  While this trip was one of the most exciting adventures for me I did find time to pick up a few customer service pointers while there.

The hotel that I was staying at in Pamplona was approximately three blocks away from the festival.  Between my hotel and the heart of the festival there were six sidewalk cafes that served breakfast, light lunches, coffee and cold drinks.  As we made our way to and from the festival a few times each day we found time to stop by all six cafes.  Of the six, we found ourselves particularly drawn to the Café Roche.

While sitting at the Café Roche counter enjoying our lunch one day we looked around the café and noticed how people were

The owner of Café Roche mixing up a batch of Sangia while whistling a Spanish tune.
The owner of Café Roche mixing up a batch of Sangia while whistling a Spanish tune.

lined up for seating.  As we finished our lunch we stepped outside onto the sidewalk I noticed that none of the other five cafes seemed busy at all.  I then made it a point to go back to Café Roche the next day to see what set that café apart from the rest.

As we left our hotel the next day to head to the downtown area for the festival we stopped in at Café Roche.  Immediately upon entering three of the four workers greeted us.  I am not sure exactly what they said but we did feel warmly welcomed because they all looked our way with big smiles and waved hello.  After sitting down at the counter one of the waitresses asked for our order, in Spanish.  After stumbling through an attempt to order a couple of drinks I realized she was as fluent in English as I was Spanish so I just held up two fingers and pointed to a bottle behind the bar.  Amused, she belly laughed and brought our drinks to us. . . again with a smile.

As we sat enjoying our drinks I watched the café employees go about their business.  They all were smiling and they all stayed busy.  I never saw one employee seem anything less than enthusiastic about their jobs.  Their positive energy carried over into the crowd as well.  The owner would stop by each table and slap people on the back while telling humorous stories that even kept my attention. . .  though I couldn’t understand a word.

I would describe the workplace at Café Roche as being a happy and welcoming environment.  I found that with each visit I left in a much better mood thanks to the friendly and smiling folks at Café Roche.

I encourage everybody this morning to make their workplace a happy environment.  Not only will it make your work more fun but it’s also great for business.  — Luke

“Most folks are as happy as they make up their mind to be.”  Abraham Lincoln

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Another Successful Management Camp

MGTCampJune14

On Wednesday we wrapped up our second Montgomery Enterprises Management Camp of the year.  I had a great time and enjoyed the opportunity to visit with all of the team members in attendance.  I am looking forward to the next session set for September.  — Luke

“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.”  Alan Kay
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Capping Off a Great Month

Saturday marked the end to a very successful month for Montgomery Enterprises.

First, Money Matters finished last week with impressive numbers compared to budget.  Overall, our revenues were well ahead of budget.  Way to go!

Secondly, Approved Auto was successful in hitting monthly goals and actually sold a car on Saturday to put them at their sales goal for the month.  Thanks for making it happen Approved Team!

Also, Zack and the guys at the shop did a great job this past weekend with the auction.  The auction had a sales goal for the day and we ended up beating it by 15%.  We were extremely pleased with the results of their hard work.

Finally, Saturday marked the first day Choice Pawn was open in the new building. Although we are still in transition from the old building we are on course to be ready for our grand opening this coming Friday.  We expect to have a huge day Friday!

Let’s make June even more successful!!! — Luke

“The successful warrior is the average man, with laser like focus.”  Bruce Lee

Choice Pawn on Saturday Morning
Choice Pawn on Saturday Morning

 

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Coming Together

ChoiceFul

 

 

 

The Choice Pawn team has been hard at work in preparation for the Grand Re-opening of the Fulton location for Friday June 6.  The soft opening will be tomorrow in order to take advantage of the auction crowd this weekend.

At Choice Pawn we have formed an absolutely dynamic team that we expect to do great things.  The Choice Pawn experience will be like no other in the industry.

Good luck to the crew at Choice Pawn as they begin operations in the new location! — Luke

Unity is strength. . . when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” Mattie Stepanek

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All Smiles

DM'sYesterday we held our monthly P&L meeting at the Fulton office. As you can see from the smiling faces of the District Managers, April proved to be an outstanding month. Congratulations to ALL the District Managers for hitting their budgeted numbers and thanks to all team members who made April a huge success!  Let’s work hard the rest of this month to make May even better! — Luke

“If everyone is moving forward together then success takes care of itself.”  Henry Ford

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Importance of Playing Often

This morning at the home office we will be holding a “Role Playing” meeting with several Money Matters team members.  Studies show that companies that continually engage in role-playing are more likely to outperform their non role-playing competitors.  I have already seen first hand the benefits of role playing so, going forward, it will be something our companies practice regularly.

Why do we role play?

  • Builds Confidence – When your team role-plays, you can throw any number of situations at them.  Role-playing provides a safe environment to encounter these scenarios for the first time, which builds confidence in team members.  This is especially vital to new team members.
  • Develops Listening Skills – Good role-playing requires good listening skills.  In addition to understanding the words the other person is saying, it’s important to pay attention to body language and non-verbal clues.  Better to have your team develop these skills while role-playing than when they’re trying to perform in the real world.
  • Creative Problem-Solving – No matter how outlandish a situation you create in a controlled environment, generally, something even more bizarre is bound to happen on the job.  Role-playing will at least give your team the chance to get some experience in handling difficult situations and in developing creative problem-solving skills.

The fifth component of our Values Statement is “Customer Service”.  In order to provide “Championship Customer Service” we feel that it is crucial for our team to regularly engage in role-playing.  —  Luke

“Every contact we have with a customer influences whether or not they’ll come back. We have to be great every time or we’ll lose them.” ~ Kevin Stirtz

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Celebrate the Successes

DINNERWe had a great time last night at Colton’s Steakhouse in Olive Branch celebrating with the team members from District One in recognition of their win in the recent Active Write-off Competition.  Congratulations again District One!!

 

“The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.”  Vince Lombardi

 

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Getting Things Done

This morning Louis and I will be having a P&L review with the district managers so that we can see exactly how each office performed during the month of February.  Judging by the figures I have seen so far I am excited about today’s meeting.  My purpose of today’s blog is to thank the folks in accounting for making today’s meeting happen.

Over the last few weeks the accounting staff has been not only understaffed but they have also had to deal with an unusually high workload.  Getting the financials ready in time for our P&L meetings is an impressive task in and of itself but to do so this month required the accounting staff to go above and beyond.

Rachel, Jana, Jonjon and Amber have been working nights and weekends the past couple of weeks in order to turn out the reports that we need to run a successful company.  Thank you ladies for putting in the effort that it took to make your deadline.  I applaud your work ethic! — Luke

“Things do not happen.  Things are made to happen.”  John F. Kennedy

 

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