Should kindness be set to Music?

      

                                                       

Have you ever noticed that people who say little about themselves, often turn out to be the most Interesting people?

When you get to know more about their lives it can reveal special events and qualities not readily seen.

Such people are secure, unobtrusive, with more depths than they seek to reveal.

There are talkers and doers.

The doers seek no fuss and are motivated by the positive desire to make a difference.

Others want us to know how great they are and so advertise it to everyone.

One makes a kindness and you never get to know - the other blows a trumpet when they appear to do a kindness, just in case we never noticed!

The have Plauqes to their deeds placed everywhere in a desire to feel Immortal and Important.

Perhaps its true that one will be remembered longer - but is there any doubting which has the best approach?

More Importantly - Which are we?

Only one way to measure Customer Satisfaction - Ask!

I used to think I was in a minority when declaring no Interest in Politics but recent evidence suggests a shift towards me!
When I relate that less than 30% of people seem yet to hold some Interest, I wonder how a Business would view a 30% Customer Satisfaction rating!
A few years ago my company saw its satisfaction rating falling from 93% to 91% and the effort to understand and address it was Immediate. It may sound humorous but the real lesson was that customer satisfaction as a yardstick is the only "real" way to know how you are viewed.
Another lesson I see from Politics is that too often it is led by apparent personality rather than qualities in people.
A Business relies on qualities and development of people for long term continuity. Being able to add personality to qualities then produces a good outcome for everyone.
A promise made should always be kept.

Finding Madeline will be an uplifting event...

Have you ever been asked who you would enjoy having Dinner with?
Often the answer is an historic figure, a sports person or celebrity.
For me it would be Kate and Gerry McCann.
I have never met them but feel they are like a best friend who has experienced the worst of life.
For five years i have hoped to hear their daughter Madeline has been found safe and well.
I think they are remarkable people with special qualities that can teach all of us many things.
Their dignity, humility and resilience stand out but their Love of each other and their children has been their greatest strength.
They have been treated with Love and Contempt in equal measure by fellow humans and their wisdom will have been increased through lifes experience.
They are decent, caring and fair minded, living for one thing...the return of Maddy.
The toll on them has been overwhelming but their belief and endurance must surely be rewarded one day.
My admiration is great and my wishes for them are the very best.
If i might wish for one happier ending it would be to see the reunion of this lovely family.
Each day brings renewed possibilities.

Is our Yardstick as good as we think?

Standards in business are a good guide to what success might be achieved.
I met a Company recently who were pleased that they felt they achieved better standards than their competition.
What Interested me was that standards were measured against others.
Its fine if todays standards are as high as twenty years ago.....but suppose the standards today have dropped considerably.
It means we are measuring from a lower standard than previously.
Its better to set our own standards high and measure by this or we might measure by a low common denominator!
Our aim is not to be average but rather, way above average.
Make sure a reliable Yardstick is in place to avoid false measurements.

Which Mould are we formed from?

I never like to put people into categories but at times its hard to Ignore clear evidence.
Test it for yourself as you measure peoples approach to life.
Are they Inclined to match one of these groups clearly?

• Some wait for things to happen
• Some watch what happens
• Some make things happen

Its uncanny how easy it is to spot each one.
The real question now is where do people think we fit?

My favourite kind of Managing Director....



http://www.linkedin.com/pub/chris-barrow/21/8a0/198

Every so often I bump into someone by chance who makes an Immediate Impression on Me.
It happened this week and it came via Twitter and Linkedin.
Chris Barrow is Managing Director of a highly successful Construction Company in Barnsley with a good history.
Its self evident from His Profile that He has given good service to His Company, learning all the aspects of the Business before becoming the "Man in the Hot Seat".
Its no secret that I like people with a positive approach, not just to Business but also to people and life.
Accomplished people are often serious in their work but good humoured in their approach.
Chris is clearly both and destined to add to His acievements.
Being in the same Town and fully Involved in all aspects "Barnsley", I have no Idea why it took this long to connect!
Chris Has my respect and good wishes for continued success, which He shares with others.
A good Managing Director is not frightened of making key decisions but has a collaborative approach.
Business is not a Democracy but good people "Listen" and then accept personal responsibility to act.
It has been suggested that what I like about Chris is that He seems a mirrored reflection of myself.
If there is any truth in it - I will take it as a compliment.

A Fine example of a Family Business in Barnsley

                     When the “Chips” are down – Barnsley adds Fish!

Angela Smith MP has always had a reputation for good service to her community and serve local people she did recently, with a visit to Shaws Fish and Chips in Station Road, Dodworth, Barnsley.

Established in 1979 by Dave Shaw, following a young career in the Royal Navy and a period in the mining industry in the footsteps of His Father, their reputation for good quality food and service has since gone way beyond the boundaries of Barnsley.

A claim to fame is his service on HMS Eagle with his friend Duncan Bannatyne, who would go on to become a “Dragon” in Dragons Den and one of the UKs most popular entrepreneurs.

An ethical approach in using best quality, sustainable sources of Fish combined with local Barnsley farming and butchers supply, ensures complete customer satisfaction and support of the local economy.

Recent reports confirm the beneficial nutritional value of fish and it continues to be a family favourite In Barnsley.

Not forgetting his Mining roots, Mr Shaw could be found supporting his former colleagues during the hard year of 1984-1985 during the Miners strike, delivering fish and chips to the picket line, an act of kindness that has never been forgotten.

Dave and his Son Mike, the next generation of the Business, have their roots in Barnsley from Birth.

Mike commented “In spite of many struggles over the years, Barnsley has always held to the tradition of “pulling together”. My Dad has been a great role model and I hope I can continue with his great skills whilst never losing sight of the one thing He has always held dear, local people. Our customers have become our friends over the years. I have grown up around them”.

Angela was at ease as Staff introduced her to serving customers in a very upbeat and good humoured environment.

Commenting on her visit Angela said,

“Local businesses are the vital lifeblood of many areas, especially small villages like Dodworth.

I really enjoyed my time behind the counter helping to serve local people. It was great to talk to them as they queued for fish n chips. It was just like is like a Friends meeting place with people catching up with each other and swapping the latest news.”