{"id":2002,"date":"2009-09-21T11:28:00","date_gmt":"2009-09-21T15:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joyfullyjobless.com\/blog\/?p=2002"},"modified":"2009-09-21T11:30:12","modified_gmt":"2009-09-21T15:30:12","slug":"whats-your-sign-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joyfullyjobless.com\/blog\/2009\/09\/whats-your-sign-2\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s Your Sign?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Orders for Making a Living Without a Job <\/em><\/strong>were piling up and my shipment was more than a week overdue. I called my publisher to see if they could track the order and learned that the shipping department was clogged getting Dan Brown\u2019s blockbuster The Lost Symbol<\/em><\/strong> out in time for its’ debut. \u00a0I was assured that my books should be arriving momentarily.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Later in the day, I heard my doorbell and when I opened the door saw the UPS delivery man heading to his truck. Even though it wasn\u2019t my regular driver, I called out to him and said, \u201cDo you allow your customers to kiss you?\u201d He turned around, smiled and walked back up the sidewalk. \u201cMan, I hear \u2018You saved my life,\u2019 all the time. Yup, we\u2019re just out here delivering packages and saving lives every day.\u201d I suggested that UPS turn that benefit into a new advertising campaign.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

I get a lot of packages from UPS and have noticed that even though I\u2019m on their route late in day, the drivers are always cheerful. My regular driver calls me by name and exchanges a few words even though he\u2019s probably eager to finish his day. It\u2019s a dramatic contrast to the cranky postman who delivers my mail with a snarl.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Yesterday afternoon I decided to sweep my front porch and prune the bush that was intruding into the walkway. As I was puttering, I noticed that the welcome mat by my front door was showing signs of wear and tear. In fact, it says \u201clcome\u201d. I made a note to replace it soon. After all, I want the UPS guy to know I’m glad he showed up.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Even though my customers do not normally appear at my front door, I am always looking for ways to keep the welcome mat out in my business, too. Seems pretty fundamental to me.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

You\u2019d think that every entrepreneur would consider it essential to welcome potential buyers and clients to their business, but experience shows that\u2019s not always the case.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Consider the less-than-welcoming way some businesses answer their phones. Browse at any flea market or craft fair and you\u2019ll see numerous vendors who are reading a book or chatting with other vendors while ignoring the crowd. \u00a0And it\u2019s not just exhibiters that do this: many businessowners seem to wear a \u201cDo Not Disturb\u201d sign\u2014defying anyone to ask them questions or offer them money.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Smart entrepreneurs make it their mission to let others know that they are in business to serve. I bet the people that you most like doing business with have their own version of a welcome mat, don\u2019t they? Do you?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Orders for Making a Living Without a Job were piling up and my shipment was more than a week overdue. I called my publisher to see if they could track the order and learned that the shipping department was clogged getting Dan Brown\u2019s blockbuster The Lost Symbol out in time for its’ debut. \u00a0I was…<\/p>\n

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