I seem to be a part of a dying breed of people that prefer and even expect “full service” when buying gasoline. I am so stubborn about this that I absolutely will not pump my own gas! It is becoming a tougher and tougher task to just find a place willing to serve you. I have a perfect record by the way; I have yet to pump it once.
When Don Olson sent me this photograph from a rural Cambodian gas station I thought, “What has happened here?” Just seeing the faces on these kids, happy to serve the customer was heart warming. They prove that it’s not about money, as they have an average income of $40 a month.
We have overweight, overpaid “service station” attendants sitting on their backsides watching people in business suits pump their own gasoline, and then fork over an unreasonable amount of money for it. I have even seen some places that charge you for water and air, and you need to put it in yourself.
When I pull into a “service station” and say, “Fill it up”, I want a tank of gas as well as my tires, water and oil checked along with all of my windows cleaned. I find the places willing to provide this service are always busy. HELLO!

Here’s a great way to showcase your favorite books and see who likes the same ones that you do.
It’s easy to register; check it out here.

I hope to see you here:
http://www.smallbusinesshawaii.com/

Opportunity Shopping is a rapidly growing segment of our business. I am turned off by the terms “Mystery Shopping” and “Secret Shopping” as they infer “spying”. If you are shopping your competition that’s the case, but to shop your own business is “managing”.
“Opportunity Shopping”, is shopping for opportunities to be better. There always are some. Our clients tell us that my comments at the end of every Opportunity Shopping Report amount to a “sales class”.
When owners and general managers visit stores they see employees on their best behavior. There is a value there as well, but to see it as the customer sees it is priceless.
“Listening” to the customer will always generate more sales by way of better “Salespersonship”.

Stage Restaurant in the Honolulu Design Center officially opened for business on Saturday night 4-14-07. The place was packed, the vibes were great, the service was exceptional, the food was delicious and the deserts were to die for.

In Napolian Hill’s classic book Think and Grow Rich, he states that when you are ready for it, one word will jump out at you on a page in this book and reveal to you the secret of great success.
In my 20’s, I read and re-read the book many times searching for that one word, unable to detect it. I later came to realize that it was the 1st word in the title of the book; THINK!
You bring about what you think about. Once you learn how to control the thoughts going through your mind throughout the day, you can then determine what you will get from life.
Just think about that!

Here’s a little something I came across that say’s it all as easy as ABC:

Attention to the customer is more important than anything. Period.

Be on the floor during peak hours.

Check your ego at the door.

Delegate operational areas so you can spend more time leading your team.

Energy and passion are your most effective tools.

Focus your team on achieving daily goals and the month will take care of itself.

Go first when you introduce something new in the store. People learn from watching you.

Humor is a great way to manage your team - as long as it’s in good taste. Remember, what’s funny to you may not be funny to someone else on your team

Interview potential employees as if your future depends on it. Most of the time it does.

Just because you think something doesn’t mean you should say it. Think before talking.

Knowledgeable employees are vital to a store’s success. Your role is to provide knowledge in an easy to learn, easy to apply method.

Lead by example with every customer encounter.

Meeting one-on-one with each staff member every month keeps communication open and positive.

Never put off a difficult conversation with an employee unless the time truly isn’t right. Waiting rarely makes it easier or better.

Optimism is a must for a team to achieve their goals.

Practice makes perfect. Roleplay with at least one employee every day. Remember, go first.

Question your staff on regularly about how you and the store can improve. Be open to their suggestions.

Respect people’s privacy. As a manager or owner it’s inappropriate to share knowledge about one employee with another unless there’s a real need to know.

Stress out at work and your team stresses with you. Remain upbeat and positive and your team remains upbeat and positive.

Time is one of the most valuable assets you have in a day. Spend it wisely.

Use each staff member’s strength to help others on the team to grow.

Values and integrity determine what kind of leader you really are.

“We” should be used more than “I” or “you” every day.

XXX words should never be used at the store.

Your development is as important as your staff’s development. You can’t give away what you don’t have.

Zap negativity before it spreads. Resolve issues or conflicts before they undermine the rest of the team and, eventually, the customer.

More than 90% of those starting their own businesses will fail. Wow, what a statistic!
I theorize that the biggest reason for these fatalities is that when one goes into business for him or herself, that he or she loses what 90% of people need; A Boss.
Too many new business owners become that boss they wish they had when they were on somebody’s payroll. They become that boss that doesn’t care if they come in late or go home early. They become that boss that looks the other way when projects are not completed on time. They become that boss that doesn’t care what anyone else thinks. They become that boss that fails and has to go back to working for a boss that cares about all of these things.
Practice being your own boss now, but the one that succeeds. Be an even better boss for yourself than the one you have. Your real boss takes time off and is away from you much of the time; you are with you 24 hours a day.
Make your goals your boss. When you do, success is easy.

Ron will be speaking to the members and guests of Small Business Hawaii (SBH) at the monthly Sunrise Networking Breakfast on Thursday, April 26th at 7:00 a.m.

Ron will talk about success, sales, and how to grow your business. Plan on hearing a motivating, fun talk from Ron as he weaves his years of experience into success tactics you can implement in your business and life.

If you would like to hear Ron speak, are interested in attending and are not a member of SBH, feel free to contact me for more information. These breakfasts are held at the Pineapple Room, Macy’s at Ala Moana Center. We look forward to seeing you at this breakfast!

Aloha,
Bob

Stage Restaurant at the exciting new Honolulu Design Center served a private premier meal Saturday evening to dignitaries including the HDC owners Thomas Sorensen, Peter Skaaning, and various VIPs such as retired 1st Hawaiian Bank CEO Walter Dodds.
Chef Jon Matsubara put on quite a show with a five course meal, fine wines and other treats from the full service bar.
Stage will open to the public on Saturday, April 14th. The Amuse Wine Bar will open on Monday April 9th.
See more photos inside: