Be "that" business person. You know the kind, the one your clients cannot stop talking about to others! Why? Because you give value outside of business.
I was shocked recently by the thoughtfulness of a newspaper owner. We were negotiating an ad buy for a client on a Friday. During the meeting, I mentioned I needed to get this deal done ASAP, as I was heading to Washington D.C. the following Wednesday for the first time. We ended up doing a win-win-win agreement between the newspaper, client and My Marketing Department.
The following Tuesday, I received a small box in the mail. Not expecting anything, I was intrigued. To my surprise inside the box were 3 books on touring Washing D.C. and a letter from the owner of the newspaper. He said these books served him well when he was in D.C. and hoped they would do the same for me and Pepir. He said he did not want them back, but once I was done with them, to pass them along to someone else who may need them, or keep them for myself!
The impressive part about all of this was not just his generosity, but how he "listened" during the meeting and picked up on this small detail. Then, to go the extra mile and send those books at his expense.
This is not the first time I have received a blessing after a meeting. I was sent the E-Myth on audio once after a meeting with a friend. I still use it today.
So, my takeaway is two-fold. One, "listening" and absorbing what others are truly saying will gain you more respect and admiration than just doing the job. Second, "acting" on even the smallest detail can mean more the main topic at hand!
From all of us to you, Happy Thanksgiving!
Sincerely,
~ Allen Jernigan, CEO
My Marketing Department, Inc.
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