I’m Thankful Too

Since I don’t do Facebook I was unaware that November was the Month of Gratitude until I read Rachel’s blog post a couple of days ago.  I really liked Rachel’s blog and thought I would add to it.

I am thankful to have a job in which I love coming to work each day.  I am thankful to work with a great group of caring people who make my workday fun and exciting.  I am thankful to be on this team we call Montgomery Enterprises.

I hope everyone has a very special and safe Thanksgiving Holiday next week.  — Luke

“Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses.”  Alphonse Karr

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It’s a Bird, it’s a Plane, it’s. . .

"Super Sammy" saves the day again!
“Super Sammy” saves the day again!

“Super Sammy”, formerly known as legendary spokesman Sammy Stephens was on location yesterday at our Aberdeen Approved Auto Sales lot filming our upcoming commercial.  Sammy is now known as “Super Sammy” because he “saves people money”!  The green cape is actually a green screen which will allow the producers to put our logo and any other graphics on it so it will look totally different once the commercial is complete.  If you haven’t seen our first Approved Auto Sales commercial with Sammy you can do so by going to our company website homepage.

I hope everyone is having a busy week.  Good luck today and tomorrow in finishing this week out strong! — Luke

“A warm smile is the universal language for kindness.”  William Arthur Ward

Continue ReadingIt’s a Bird, it’s a Plane, it’s. . .

Another Class

Pictured back L to R:  Angela Blankenship, Johnna Coffey, Chelsea Caygle, Kelly Arrington, Tina Brown, Chantel Williams, Dellynn Kennedy, Justin Ling  Front L to R:  Louis Lee, Kim Wright, Janna Tolar, Luke Montgomery
Pictured back L to R: Angela Blankenship, Johnna Coffey, Chelsea Caygle, Kelly Arrington, Tina Brown, Chantel Williams, Dellynn Kennedy, Justin Ling Front L to R: Louis Lee, Kim Wright, Janna Tolar, Luke Montgomery

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending another class graduation of the Montgomery Enterprises’ Leadership Skills Program.  Having seen several classes go through the program  over the past few years its still just as much fun to witness the change in the participants over the course of the class.  Rubye Del has a special talent for bringing the best out in people.  Congratulations to yesterday’s graduates!

On another note, as many of you know one of my favorite hobbies is reading . . . often books about business.  It’s not often I get to meet and discuss one of my favorite books with the book’s author but that is exactly what we will be doing Monday morning when, at our companywide Manager Meeting, we do a book review of Smart Moves Management with its author John Thedford.  I have had the privilege of seeing John speak on a couple of occasions and am especially excited to have him sharing his knowledge of running a highly successful business with us on Monday. John’s presentation will be a great way to kick off our “busy season” as 2013 winds down to a close.

I look forward to seeing everyone Monday! — Luke

“Ultimately, business building is nothing more than people building.”  John Thedford

 

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Quotes from Winget

 

One of my favorite things to do in my spare time is to read non-fiction books.  I generally keep a few books on hand that I am either reading or intending to read.  One of my favorite business/self-development authors is Larry Winget.  Having been labeled “the Pit Bull of Personal Development” Winget’s short books serve as the kick in the pants we often need to get moving and do the things we need to do to make our life and job better.  I just finished his most recent book and thought I would share of few quotes from his bestseller. — Luke

“Success comes from what you do, not from what you say you are going to do.” 

“Those that consider themselves the exception to the rule should reread the rule.”

“Can’t usually means won’t.”

“The best way to get ahead is to move your behind.”

“Your time, energy and money always go to what is important to you.”

“You can’t step up to the next level as long as you keep one foot on the lower level.”

“If it’s right and no one else is doing it, it’s still right.  If it’s wrong and everyone else is doing it, it’s still wrong.” 

and finally. . .

Larry’s Number One Rule for Life and Business:  Do what you said you would do, when you said you would do it, the way you said you would do it.

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Thanks for Being Essential

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes and other gifts I received for “Boss’s Day” yesterday.  Your kindness made the day extra special.

I noticed on the news yesterday that in Washington a deal was reached to end the government shutdown.  I guess that means that all the “non-essential workers” can begin making their way back to the old grindstone.  I sure am glad to know that we don’t have any non-essential employees within our organization.  Everyone within the company is absolutely essential, or much needed.

On this Thursday. the day after Boss’s Day, I want to say “thanks” to all of our employees for being an essential part of our success.  —-  Luke

“The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.”  Epictetus

 

 

 

 

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What’s in a Name?

My answer to the title of this post would be “a whole heckuva lot”.  That is why we stress the importance of calling customers by their names when greeting them.  In my opinion, it is a sign of respect to call someone by their name.  Your name is the most important word in the universe to you and is music to your ears.  Same thing goes for your customers.

This past weekend I attended the National Association of Check Cashers convention in Marco Island, Florida, and used Delta Airlines to get there.  I had a total of four flights in all; two to get to Fort Myers and two flights back in to Memphis. During the pre-boarding and boarding process for my first three flights each and every Delta Airline employee called me by name.  Now, I’m not really famous but my name is on the front of the ticket each employee handled and, even though they didn’t know me personally, I was still just as excited each time they called me by name.  I was highly impressed with Delta and thought to myself that they sure were doing a great job with customer service.  Not only were they calling me by name but all the employees I encountered seemed happy and upbeat. . . until my final flight.

On the last flight the customer service wasn’t bad.  It was just normal.  As I boarded the plane taking me from Atlanta to Memphis the Delta agent scanned my ticket just like all the other flights.  But, she never made eye contact and to my dismay she didn’t call me by name.  My balloon had just been popped.

As I mentioned, I was really excited with the service I was getting from the Delta employees up until that last flight.  And once again, the service wasn’t that bad on the last flight but it just wasn’t what I had come to expect after three flights and three outstanding Delta experiences within the past few days.  (Please reread the prior two sentences because that is my whole point)

Outstanding customer service MUST be provided on a daily basis.  The key term being “daily basis” because it is not the three visits in a row with great service your customers go to work the next morning talking about to their co-workers.  It’s the fourth visit when, for whatever reason, your customer feels slighted by the lack of attention and respect he receives in your office that gets talked about at work the next day.

As Meredith mentioned a few days ago on this blog, this is “National Customer Service Week”.  Let’s make that a daily holiday in our locations! — Luke

“Even your most loyal customers always have a choice about where to take their business.”   Marilyn Suttle

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A Good Cause

lebfoodSeveral of you have a few dollars drafted from your pay each month to go towards our company matching charitable account.  The main cause of this account is to support and carry out our role as a Floor Sponsor of the Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital Adopt-a-Floor program.  Many of you have made the trip to Memphis to participate in one of the various events we have hosted at the hospital over the last few years and several of you have talked of how rewarding the experience is.  Our next Le Bonheur event will be Saturday October 5.

Pictured is just a sample of the things we provide as part of care packages for the families staying with loved ones at Le Bonheur.  Although the individual meals that families receive may not cost much money or seem lavish by any stretch of the means the convenience factor means a great deal.  On top of that, while going through what is probably one of the toughest times in their lives it is reassuring for these families to know that, out there somewhere, there are people who they don’t know that care for them and what they are going through.

Thanks to all of you who participate in one way or another with the charitable causes we assist with. — Luke

 

“A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.”  George Bernard Shaw

 

 

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Have a Great Labor Day!

With Labor Day weekend upon us I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of you for the hard work and effort you put in on a daily basis to serve your customers.  You play an important role in your customers’ lives and I know they appreciate you very much.  Thanks again for being there for your customers.

I hope everyone enjoys the Labor Day Holiday.  Be careful and have fun! — Luke

“The best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work today.”  Elbert Hubbard

PS-  I hope those who attended the Manager Meeting recently are enjoying the books.  I have received some positive feedback already.

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I Thought These Fit Well for Today

We are having our Managers’ Meeting today in Tupelo.  I thought these quotes would be appropriate for today. — Luke

“All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or  intellectually without effort, and effort means work.”  Calvin Coolidge

“There’s only one growth strategy: work hard.”  William Hague

““You will either step forward into growth or you will step back into safety.” Abraham Maslow

“If you have always done it that way, it is probably wrong.”  Charles Kettering

“Success breeds complacency.  Complacency breeds failure.  On the paranoid will survive.”  Andy Grove

“Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it.”  Winston Churchill

“Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together.”  James C. Penney

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Leaving a Lasting Impression

Ask any ten highly successful business people if they have ever read Dale Carnegie’s book How to Win Friends and Influence People and I would bet eight would say yes.  Carnegie’s sage advice in this book released originally in 1936 stands just as true and meaningful today.  How to Win Friends and Influence People is one of my personal favorites and when I came across a blog post regarding Carnegie’s advice from the book I thought many of you would enjoy it as well.  http://www.businessinsider.com/6-ways-to-make-a-lasting-impression-2013-7

I am looking forward to seeing all of the managers next week at the meeting.  Have a great weekend everyone. — Luke

“When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but creatures of emotion.”  Dale Carnegie

“Feeling sorry for yourself, and your present condition, is not only a waste of energy but the worst habit you could possibly have.”  Dale Carnegie

 

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