Great Customer Service
Heres another good one from the archives:
I recently downloaded Skype Pro on to my computer so that I can make unlimited long distance calls for a mere $3 per month. Upon testing it, I found that my desk top microphone had background noise that made for poor reception. I then ordered a $30 head set on line, and paid an added $20 bucks for overnight delivery. That was good for a few calls and then it stopped working. A few years ago that would have been the end of Skype for me, but I have grown to be a lot more patient. Upon testing I determined that the microphone in my head set was faulty. I didn’t want to wait for a new one, so I decided to try a different microphone from my digital recorder only to discover that the battery was dead. I headed over to Radio Shack to replace the battery.
I was greeted immediately upon entering the store and asked a few key questions. Joelle then led me to the battery that I needed, sold me a spare as well and upon listening to my story showed me a top of the line head set and microphone designed to work with Skype. I walked out happy having spent $90 plus.
I got back to my office and was thrilled with the performance of my new head set, but upon setting up my digital recorder I noticed the lapel clip was missing. I called Radio Shack. To my delight a human answered the phone.  I asked for Joelle. She had gone for the day, but Verra listened to my story, looked about for my clip and returned to say that she couldn’t find it, but if I came to the store they would give me a replacement lapel clip. I did and they did, all with a smile. I asked for the manager’s name and she gave me Rose Yu’s card. I was impressed. I’ll be back to Radio Shack.

Reprinted by Request
I am grateful to “Runaway”, whoever that is, for sending me this wonderful list of health promoting foods, in alphabetical order. I hope that you will cut and paste this into a document of some form that you can save and refer to often.
I also hope that you will pass on a link to this list to the people in your life that matter to you. To do so, simply click on the title above (You Are What You Eat) and then copy the URL into your browser and send it along.

Apples
- They protect your heart
- They improve your lung capacity
- They cushion your joints
- They prevent constipation
- They block diarrhea

Apricots
-They combat cancer
-They control your blood pressure
-They save your eyesight
-They shield you against Alzheimer’s disease
-They slow the aging process

Artichokes
-They aid in digestion
-They lower cholesterol
-They protect your heart
-They stabilize your blood sugar
-They guard against liver disease

Avocados
-They battle diabetes
-They lower your cholesterol
-They help stop strokes
-They control blood pressure
-They smooth out your skin

Bananas
-They protect your heart
-They quiet a cough
-They strengthen your bones
-They control your blood pressure
-They block diarrhea

Beans
-They lower cholesterol
-They combat cancer
-They stabilize your blood sugar
-They prevent constipation
-They help with hemorrhoids

Beets
-They control your blood pressure
-They combat cancer
-They strengthen your bones
-They protect your heart
-They aid in weight loss

Blueberries
-They combat cancer
-They protects your heart
-They stabilizes your blood sugar
-They boost your memory
-They prevent constipation

Broccoli
-It strengthens your bones
-It saves your eyesight
-It combats cancer
-It protects your heart
-It controls your blood pressure

Cabbage
-It combats cancer
-It prevents constipation
-It promotes weight loss
-They protect your heart
-It helps with hemorrhoids

Cantaloupe
-It saves your eyesight
-It controls your blood pressure
-It lowers your cholesterol
-It combats cancer
-It supports your immune system

Carrots
-They save your eyesight
-They protect your heart
-They prevent constipation
-They combat cancer
-They promote weight loss

Cauliflower
-It protects against Prostate Cancer
-It combats Breast Cancer
-It strengthens your bones
-It banishes bruises
-It guards against heart disease

Cherries
-They protect your heart
-They combat Cancer
-They end insomnia
-They slow the aging process
-They shield you against Alzheimer’s disease

Chestnuts
-They promote weight loss
-They protects your heart
-They lower your cholesterol
-They combat Cancer
-They control blood pressure 

Chili peppers
-They aid in digestion
-They soothe a sore throat
-They clear your sinuses
-They combat Cancer
-They boost your immune system

Figs
-They promote weight loss
-They help stop strokes
-They lower your cholesterol
-They combat Cancer
-They control your blood pressure

Flax
-It aids in digestion
-It battles diabetes
-It protects your heart
-It improves mental health
-It boosts your immune system

Garlic
-It lowers your cholesterol
-It controls your blood pressure
-It combats cancer
-It kills bacteria
-It fights fungus

Grapefruit
-It protects you against heart attacks
-It promotes Weight loss
-It helps stops strokes
-It combats Prostate Cancer
-It lowers cholesterol

Grapes
-They save your eyesight
-They conquer kidney stones
-They combat cancer
-They enhance blood flow
-They protect your heart

Green Tea
-It combats cancer
-It protects your heart
-It helps stop strokes
-It promotes Weight loss
-It kills bacteria

Honey
-It heals wounds
-It aids in your digestion
-It guards you against ulcers
-It increases your energy
-It fights allergies

Lemons
-They combat cancer
-They protect your heart
-They control your blood pressure
-They smooth your skin
-They stop scurvy

Limes
-They combat cancer
-They protect your heart
-They control blood pressure
-They smooth your skin
-They stop scurvy

Mangoes
-They combat cancer
-They boost your memory
-They regulate your thyroid
-They aid in your digestion
-They shields you against Alzheimer’s disease

Mushrooms
-They control your blood pressure
-They lower your cholesterol
-They kill bacteria
-They combat cancer
-They strengthen your bones

Oats
-They lower your cholesterol
-They combat cancer
-They battle diabetes
-They prevent constipation
-They smoothes your skin

Olive Oil
-It protects your heart
-It promotes Weight loss
-It combats cancer
-It battles diabetes
-It smoothes your skin

Onions
-They combat cancer
-They lower your cholesterol
-They reduce the risk of heart attacks
-They kill bacteria
-They fight fungus

Oranges
-They support your immune systems
-They combat cancer
-They protect your heart
-They straighten control your respiration

Peaches
-They prevent constipation
-They combat cancer
-They help stops strokes
-They aid in your digestion
-They help hemorrhoids

Peanuts
-They protect you against heart disease
-They promote Weight loss
-They combat Prostate Cancer
-They lower your cholesterol
-They aggravate diverticulitis

Pineapples
-They strengthen your bones
-They relieve colds
-They aid in your digestion
-They dissolve warts
-They block diarrhea

Prunes
-They slow the aging process
-They prevent constipation
-They boost your memory
-They lower your cholesterol
-They protect you against heart disease

Rice
-It protects your heart
-It battles diabetes
-It conquers kidney stones
-It combats cancer
-It helps prevent strokes

Strawberries
-They combat cancer
-They protect your heart
-They boost your memory
-They calm stress

Sweet Potatoes
-They save your eyesight
-They lift your mood
-They combat cancer
-They strengthen your bones

Tomatoes
-They protect your prostate
-They combat cancer
-They lower your cholesterol
-They protect your heart

Walnuts
-They lower your cholesterol
-They combat cancer
-They boost your memory
-They lift your mood
-They protect you from heart disease

Water
-It promotes Weight loss
-It combats cancer
-It conquers kidney stones
-It smooths your skin

Watermelon
-It protects your prostate
-It promotes Weight loss
-It lowers your cholesterol
-It helps prevent strokes
-It controls your blood pressure

Wheat Germ
-It combats Colon Cancer
-It prevents constipation
-It lowers your cholesterol
-It helps prevent strokes
-It improves your digestion

Wheat Bran
-It combats Colon Cancer
-It prevents constipation
-It lowers your cholesterol
-It helps prevent strokes
-It improves your digestion

Yogurt
-It guards against ulcers
-It strengthens your bones
-It lowers your cholesterol
-It supports your immune systems
-It aids your digestion

Can YOU Remember?
I received a sweet e-mail today from a dear friend living in Switzerland. He commented about my constant “big grin,” and ended the e-mail saying, “Remember Sheriff John’s Song.” I e-mailed him back saying, “Trying to remember Sheriff John’s Song is haunting me; off to Google.”
Well, I went to good ol’ Google and found it. The memories then came flooding back.
To hear Sheriff John’s song, CLICK HERE:
1952 was a long time ago. My family could not afford a TV set, so I and several other neighborhood boys in Santa Monica gathered Dr. Zampetti’s home down the street to watch Sheriff John and Time for Beany with his sons Jimmy and Tony. I wonder if Sheriff John played a subconcious role in my constant departing comment to people today. I always say, “Keep Smiling.”
PS
Honolulu is a small town. My local dentist today is Herman (Tony) Zampetti. Check him out. Tell him that “Ronnie” sent you.

Questions Put You in Control
In every conversation, someone is in control. When selling that should be the salesperson.
Questions can be used to open a conversation, discover customer needs and even close the sale.
The rule when asking questions is; “NEVER ask a question that MIGHT get you an answer you DON’T want to hear.” Ask SAFE to answer questions.
Good Questions from Retail Selling Made Easy:
When customers come into a store they have a purpose, and that is to “discover” more about your store and what you have to offer. Ask questions that launch that discovery. After greeting ask, “Is this your first time in the store?” or “When were you in last?” Those questions set you up to tell the customer about your store and merchandise. Questions like, “May I help you?” or “What can I show you?” are quite likely to get you answers you DON’T want to hear.
Asking, “How are you today?” is lame and insincere. It leads to small talk, not sales. Customers do not come into your store to tell you how they are doing today. This insincere question is likely to get an insincere reply like, “Fine” which doesn’t take you anywhere.
PDR – Practice, Drill and Rehearse. Get your questions down pat. Practice out loud to yourself, drill them into your head and rehearse them with co-workers.

And Consistent…
I continue to be impressed every time that I go to the Yajima Cosmo gas station to get gas and a hand car wash. Not only do they race out to greet me, but they are always smiling and eager to service my needs. What is called “Full Service” today was once the way every “service” station operated; but no more.
Today it’s all “Self Service” or as I call it, “No Service” at most filling stations.

And It Pays
The few remaining service stations that still give service are always busier than the “no service” stations. One would think they would recognize the missed opportunities to give more service.
While at Yajima today I spotted the owner’s wheels, and thought, “Yeah, it pays to give.” Don’t even ask me how much more the gas might cost, because I have no idea. It’s the attitudes and performance of the employees that stand out in my mind. Click Here to see what other people have to say about Yajima.

Let it Rain
Visitors to Hawaii often become depressed when it rains, yet they love to see the rainbows.
It’s important to remember that with no rain there would be no rainbows.
Life is much like that. When things seem to be coming down on you, look for the rainbow in the shower. There is always one there; somewhere!

And Buys At Lahaina Scrimshaw
The room was abuzz when I arrived for my monthly Success Rally with Lahaina Scrimshaw this month. Paris Hilton had just been in their Front St. Store. She bought an exotic butterfly in acrylic and 6 Jimmy Hepp photos. She spent $975. Everywhere I went people were talking about her being there, but not everyone was selling. People buy when people sell.
To see more of Paris shopping CLICK HERE: And remember; celebrities buy too.

Something to Strive For
The late George Kanahele was known for the wisdom he shared with Hawaii businesses.
Part of that was his definition of the Hawaiian word; “Kina’ole.”
Kina’ole: one who has done the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, in the right place, to the right person, for the right reason, with the right feeling.”
A shorter meaning is “flawlessness.” Are you striving for Kina’ole?

Make the Trust Sale First
When most customers first see a salesperson, all they see is someone wanting their money. Trust of you or your store is not automatic.
Your customers know nothing about your background, education, values or morals; they just see a salesperson. The sooner you start “selling” the quicker that suspicion becomes validated.

Start With Safe and Honest Questions
Many well meaning salespeople start off with a “small talk” question, assuming that they are relaxing the customer; NOT! If a stranger in the mall stopped and asked you, “How are you doing today?” what would you think?
Once you have greeted your customer, ask a “safe” question like, “Do you live close by?” and/or “Have you been in the store before?” These are “safe” and “honest” questions that are not likely to get you an answer you don’t want to hear.
You can then segue into telling the customers the 4 “W’s” about your store.
Tell your customers:

WHO you are…
WHAT you are…
WHAT you sell…
WHERE it is in the store…

Sell your company and store before you start selling your merchandise. You will be trusted sooner and sell more.