Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Enriching Women's Lives...One at a Time

Sometimes it's hard to remember what an impact this company has on women's lives. It's easy to be jaded, to think it's all about lipstick, to get wrapped up in ourselves. But truly, the attitude promoted by the company and our mission to enrich women's lives does positively impact others. Mary Kay Ash said, "It's just as important to put a smile on someone's face as it is to put makeup on her face." I will never forget that after what happened to me Sunday night.

We treated ourselves to fast food for dinner before heading to Wal-Mart, and I got some chili. After we received our tray, I asked if I could get some cheese as well. Our server (the manager) apologetically explained that they were making them charge 32 cents for it. I said that was okay and went to get change from my purse at our table. When I came back to the counter, there were 7 or 8 people in line, so I waited (I didn't want to be rude). When I got up to the counter, another employee was working the register, but the manager had told her to give me free cheese since I had waited so long! That little act was a great example of customer service, so I resolved to thank the manager with one of my pamper cards before we left.

When we were ready to go, I couldn't decide if I "really" wanted to go up and do it or not. What if she thought I was a dork? What if she already had a consultant? We needed to get to Wal-Mart, after all. Well, I decided to suck it up and do it anyway. I walked up and asked to see the manager. When she came over, I said, "I just wanted to thank you for what you did. I'm with ______, and I have this gift certificate for you for being so gracious to me. Customer service seems to be a lost art nowadays, and I just want you to know that your effort is appreciated."

She was on the verge of tears! She wiped her eyes and spoke in a choked-up voice, "Thank you so much. You don't know how much that means to me, after the last two days I've had. You just don't know what that means." I was flabbergasted!

What if I had not made that tiny little gesture? People, you never know what will be someone's last straw or first compliment. (That's a ©KYredhead original, thank you very much.) It doesn't take any effort at all to say "thank you" or to voice aloud when you think "What a cute haircut!" That may be the only positive thing that person has heard in a week! I challenge you, readers, to make a conscious effort to brighten someone's day today. Thank goodness this company has encouraged that in me...'cause it certainly wasn't natural. :)