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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

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

On his blog post the other day Louis was bragging about our Approved Auto Sales car lots hitting three out of four specific goals we set for them for the month of July.  Actually, after the final tally it turned out that the Approved Auto team hit all four of the goals laid before them for July.  In appreciation for their hard work the Approved staff was treated to breakfast last Tuesday morning during a meeting that not only capped off a successful month but also helped to kick off what we expect to be another great month.

Thanks to the entire gang at Approved Auto Sales!  —  Luke

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.”  Larry Elder

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

Over the past few years we have always had one particular office that we could count on to have a spectacularly successful Customer Appreciation Day.  And for that office, this year was no different.  Just the other day, the Okolona office held it’s annual Customer Appreciation Day and gave away a whopping 672 hot dogs.  That is a lot of happy eaters . . . and hundreds of satisfied customers.  Thanks to Felicia and Erin for the hard work they did on making their special day so overwhelmingly popular with the community.  Thanks also to Lynn Murphree from the Amory office for jumping in and helping the ladies in Okolona.

“In order to succeed, your desire for success must be stronger than your fear of failure.”  Bill Cosby

PS– Thanks to Janna Tolar for passing along the great news about Okolona’s CAD. . . Luke

The employees at the Fulton office presented Mom and Dad (Mr. Larry and Mrs. Delois)  with a beautiful and tasty cake in honor of their celebrating fifty years of marital bliss.  Congratulations on a great life together and may the coming years be just as golden!  Join me in wishing them a Happy Fiftieth Anniversary. . . and a Happy Birthday to Dad tomorrow. — Luke

“Where there is love there is life.”  Ghandi