Advertisement Ideas: What’s Your Problem?
This question came to mind to me today (4/18/12) as I was out collecting donations for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of West Boca Raton, FL 33322. Most everyone I came in contact with was open and receptive and were polite even if they weren’t in to donate. There were a few who I started to think What Is Your Problem? I went to a wireless provider (Verizon on Yamato Rd in West Boca) and the gentleman behind the counter stated Ia m too busy to which I replied it only takes a minute to reach into your wallet and grab a $1, my goal is to see 100 people and have each of them donate a dollar. He answered I told you I am not interested. I figured out what his problem is, his attitude toward giving and being of service to others. He complained how slow things were in one breath and then that he was too busy to take time to make a donation. Think about it for a $1 donation he could have helped to build his business as he was dealing with someone who has over 1500 twitter followers, over 1700 friends on Facebook, a good linked in network, hosts an Internet Radio Show, and has many contacts in the community that could have benefitted from his service. Instead of goodwill he now gets listed in the ugly customer service category and this negative story gets told. W.hen you are representing your business be it as an owner or an employee the key is to take time to support those that come in supporting the community and leverage your goodwill through advertising and marketing.
My advice to the man at Verizon remember this adage.
Another Example of Creating A Problem!!!
It was about 3:30 PM on 4/18/12 when I went to The Boca Green Shopping Plaza on 441 to collect donations for The American Cancer Society Relay for Life when I encountered a salon owner from 441 hair who was rude from the get go and used vulgar language towards me. I then asked the employees you work for this man who uses this language towards someone helping people with cancer. This struck a nerve as he shoved me and in defense I pushed him back and laughed at hos behavior thinking What is Your Problem. He proceed to try to attack me and I walked away thinking wow some people just don’t get it and wonder why their business suffers. Let me tell you it is not the economy, it is not the community, it is you and your attitude. I admit I was a bit overzealous but there is never a reason to curse at someone and call them a moron. I walked away laughed turned to heaven and spoke to GOD who forgave my actions and encouraged me to just let it go as things would get better.
I remembered this and shifted my attitude as I realized that I may be the one with a problem. The lesson here is that it takes two to have a confrontation and that in anything you do confrontation is never the answer as it will cost you in the end.
No Problem!!!!
From these instances I have learned to magic words No Problem. I began to use this after these instances when people said no or made what I perceived to be poor baseless excuses and simply said No problem can I leave some information about our event with you. I then gave them some other ways to help outside of a monetary donation. To restauranteurs I suggested sending over some food with menus to give to participants, to the spas I suggested gift certificates. I started to back off and be less assertive and more compassionate and this made the world of difference.
Creating Success and Alleviating Problems!!!
As I entered Lee’s Grill and Propane at Boca Greens I was greeted by a pleasant young man who asked what I was doing offered me a bottle of water and put $10 into my collection canister. I then went next store to Moon’s tavern and the gentleman there was very pleasant and told me of his contributions to The American Cancer Society. I went along the plaza and things kept improving as I changed my attitude and with each step began to assume an attitude of gratitude and when I reached the pre school at the end the director had me sit down and explain Relay for Life and she placed $10 into the canister and took fliers to give to the parents. By using the affirmation I am Creating Success Alleviating Problems for Those Affected By Cancer the collections went smoothly.
By choosing to be open to receive and assuming an attitude of gratitude I met with success.
This week as you encounter people in your business remember that by being kind and treating people with respect you will build your brand and as a result have a good reputation in the marketplace. People do business with those they perceive to be of value and service and sometime it is as easy as taking a few minutes to interact with people.
