Author: Luke Montgomery

As I have mentioned before, I am not a fan of reality tv but I do occasionally keep the channel on one long enough to become interested in an episode.  One of the few reality tv shows that catches my attention from time to time is Undercover Boss.  Yesterday, a marathon of Undercover Boss was running on cable and I stopped in on more than a couple of episodes to see what each particular boss was up to.  After about the third episode I realized that Undercover Boss took the road most traveled by reality shows.  After the first season, the producers decide what type situation is best for ratings and each year it just becomes more and more scripted.

For example, the script that works best for Undercover Boss is to have the CEO go out in the field and work in about three different jobs in which they always appear completely incompetent.  The CEO is assigned an employee to work with while performing each particular duty, and invariably, the employee has some type of heartwarming personal story to tell.  While getting to know the employees the boss always is absolutely amazed that the employees have struggles within their lives yet still maintain to hold down a full time job.  This tells me the given boss has truly lost touch with their employees. 

It is about this time that the undercover CEO realizes themselves just how out of touch they are and begin to cry uncontrollably. . . some for real and some just for the camera.  At this point the boss goes on an apology tour telling employees how sorry he is for taking them for granted and thanks them for the job they do for the first time in months if not years.

While watching a couple of episodes of Undercover Boss yesterday I thought I would use our company blog today to thank each and every one of you, our employees,  for being the professionals you are.  I know everyone has their particular struggles, whether they be financial difficulties, health issues or family matters yet it is hard working people like the employees in our company that make the world go round.  Thanks for the service you provide our customers and to your communities.  Your hard work is appreciated by many people.   

“Professionalism means doing your best, even when you don’t feel like it.”  Glenn Shepard

“Giving 100% at work despite personal problems is how successful people succeed.  Allowing personal problems to be an excuse is how unsuccessful people fail fail.”  Glenn Shepard

The folks at the Fulton office gave Dad a “surprise” birthday lunch today.  Happy Birthday Dad!

Not many things bother me greatly but one of my biggest pet peeves is tardiness.  Specifically, waiting on people for an appointment.  I came across an article the other day that I thought drove home the importance of being punctual so I thought I would share some of the key points.  I hope you enjoy.– Luke

Being punctual strengthens and reveals your integrity.  If you tell someone you will meet them at a certain time, you have essentially made a promise.  If you show up late, even just five minutes, you have essentially broken that promise.  Being on time shows you are a man of your word.

Being punctual shows you are dependable.

Being punctual builds your self confidence.  Showing up on time not only tells other people you are dependable, it teaches you that you can depend on yourself.  The more you keep the promises you make, the more your self confidence will grow.

Being punctual assures you’re at your best.  After riding someone’s bumper, speeding like a maniac, scanning for cops and cursing at red lights, its hard to then turn your focus to making a presentation at a meeting.  But when you show up on time, better yet a little early, you have a few minutes to collect your thoughts.

Being punctual builds and reveals your discipline.  The punctual person shows that he can organize his time, that he pays attention to details, he can set aside a pleasure to take care of business.

Being punctual shows your humility.  That bumper sticker maxim “Always late but worth the wait” shows that tardiness and an overestimation of one’s worth sometimes go hand in hand.  People will be glad to see you when you arrive, but they would have been gladder still had you come on time.

Being punctual shows respect for others.  Being late is a selfish act, for it puts your needs above another’s.

Being late is a form of stealing.  That’s a tough truth but a truth nonetheless.  When you make others wait for you, you rob minutes from them they will never get back.

Being late hurts your professional career.  Whether you are an employee or in business for yourself, being late can hinder your professional success.

“Better never than late.”  George Bernard Shaw

On our company blog we often mention company goals or office goals and often post various quotes pertaining to the benefits of setting goals.  With that in mind I found some tips for setting goals in an article by Jean Donahue.  I hope they help. . .  Luke

1. Make sure the goal you are working for is something you really want, not just something that sounds good.
2. A goal can not contradict any of your other goals.  
3. Develop goals in the six areas of life:  Family and Home, Financial and Career, Spiritual and Ethical, Physical and Health, Social and Cultural, and Educational
4. Write your goals in the positive instead of the negative.  
5. Write your goal in complete detail.  For instance, don’t plan to “Get in better financial shape”.  Instead, plan to “Pay off credit card A, start a 401k, save an extra $100 per month, etc.”
6. Make sure your goal is high enough.  
7. The most important step. . . write your goals down.

“Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product.”  Eleanor Roosevelt 

We have been getting ready for the company wide Managers’ Meeting to take place next Tuesday in Tupelo.  I’m looking forward to seeing everyone there.

One item on the agenda that I am most excited about is in regards to our debit card program.  Representatives from the debit card provider will be on hand to explain the new product and also to do some sales training.  We should be able to get this program kicked off at all the offices very soon after the meeting next week.  The debit cards we will be selling have some attributes our customers are sure to be interested in so I am looking for this to be a successful addition to our product line.

Again, I’m looking forward to seeing everyone next week. — Luke

 “There are no secrets to success.  It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.”  Colin Powell

I received my July booklet of  Bits and Pieces on Leadership.  I picked out a few of my favorite quotes. . .

“By changing nothing, nothing changes.”  Celestine Chua

“You are responsible for you.”  English Proverb

“Be honorable yourself if you wish to associate with honorable people.”  Wendell Wilkie

“An organization’s ability to learn, and translate that learning into action rapidly, is the ultimate competitive advantage.”  Jack Welch

“A good plan implemented today is better than a perfect plan implemented tomorrow.”  George Patton

Have a great day! — Luke

>I want to remind everyone that next Friday will be the last day to qualify for your 3rd quarter goals. It’s hard to believe that we are already moving into the last quarter of the year. Time seems to be flying by.

As of last Friday’s report we had 12 offices that were above their goals for the quarter. Several others were in striking distance as well. I encourage everyone to work hard today and next week and make a good push to come in over your office goals. Good luck with this!

Don’t forget, if you want to enter the contest for the $20 you have until 5:30 today to leave your guess on the blog. We will announce the winner Monday.

Have a great weekend!

“I had a friend who was a clown. When he died, all his friends went to the funeral in one car.” Stephen Wright

>Saturday is auction day and we are going to bid off 179 vehicles. I thought of something to make this auction a little interesting.

For the first time in auction history we are going to sell a Fleetwood Cadilac Limousine. You can go to www.fultonautoauction.com and see the limousine at the right under “Featured Vehicles”.

I thought it would be fun if we had contest to see who can guess closest to the actual sales price of the limousine. The employee that guesses closest will win a $20 gift card from Wal-Mart.

To be eligble for the gift card, you guess has to be left as a comment to this post no later than 5:30 tomorrow afternoon. Good luck!

“Luck is believing your lucky.” Tennessee Williams

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>I just finished a book titled “Not So Common Courtesy” that deals with the fact that, unfortunately, common courtesy is not quite so common anymore. I was reminded of this at the high school football game I attended last Friday night.

Not far from where I was sitting was a group of people who were attending the game to see family and friends play. However, instead of being there to cheer on their family, they seemed more passionate about pointing out all of the mistakes made by anyone on our team. Often they would ridicule a player loud enough for everyone in the stands to hear.

At least the players didn’t get it as bad as the coaches. Apparently, these folks in the stands know a lot more about football than any of the coaches. I guess these people in the stands that do all the hollering spend their days studying game films and defensive formations. They must have a busy life.

Now, if a person plans on going into the coaching field or plans to play football, they need to be prepared to blow off a good deal of smart remarks coming from the stands. They made the decision to coach or play so they should have known what to expect. Also, a fan has paid money to watch the game so they should be able to voice their opinion to an extent.

However, it makes for a long night for all those around when someone constantly criticizes and complains all night at the top of their lungs. I think the quote for today says it best.

“Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do.” Benjamin Franklin