ster and I have a very close relationship and she always makes me laugh. I don’t mean just chuckle laugh, I mean laugh so hard your face hurts from smiling and people around you want some of what you have. I like to think that I have a very positive outlook on life. I am a true believer that you get back what you put out there and that you are what you think. I am absolutely positive that it is a round world, plain and simple. My sister is the kind of person you want in your life just to make the day brighter.
Now, if you read some of my past posts, you will see that I am also a very honest and blunt person so I do know that it is just ridiculous to tell someone who is experiencing personal loss or difficulty just to cheer up and it will all get better. I also know, however, that a smile and offer to help from a friend (or even a stranger) during a time of difficulty can be very powerful in the absense of your own ability to smile.
It is human nature to want to work with people who make you feel good about yourself, your situation or your need to accomplish something. We all need to feel like the person we have called upon to solve our problem or provide a service is BOTH competent AND like able. I don’t care if you have the best price and the best product there is- if you are a jerk, I will pay the premium necessary to have a friendly voice on the other end of the phone who I know will help me when things are going right AND when they are going wrong.
My father used to always say, "you never get more than what you pay for" and I believe that 100%. We are often tricked into thinking that we got a great deal simply because we paid the lowest price, but then when we need help because the product or service does not turn out to be what we thought it would be, we find out that customer service was not part of the deal. I mean what do you expect for that great price you paid? Time is money and good customer service takes time and you did not pay enough for that perk – am I right?
Thanksgiving is a time for reflection and for gratitude for what we have in our lives. I am willing to bet that when you look at your most precious relationships and aspects of your life, none of them came cheap or easy. Those "things" we run out and buy at bottom dollar after standing in line since 2am on black Friday are really not on the list of things we are grateful for at the dinner table on Thanksgiving. What you do remember, however, is how your life is made better and easier by those who have a vested interest in your happiness. Those who smile when you call and take the time to make sure that you feel good about your decision, your situation or your need even when things are not going so great.
Make sure that these are the relationships that you choose on your path. Whether you are the giver or taker in these relationships, take the time or make the investment as a token of your respect for the other person. I say a quiet thank you everyday when I am interacting with various service providers or local businesses who make my life easier. It is easy to name them – Nancy at the dry cleaner, Barbara at my Doctors office, Amber at my cleaning service, Jennifer at the after school care, Jerry at karate, Nancy my chiropractor, Katie, Jessica and Dana my sitters, Elizabeth, Lizette, Jeanette and Sharron my 
neighbors, and the list goes on.
I can only hope that my customers have me on their list someday – what an honor that would be and one that our whole team at That’s Good HR strives for everyday. Enjoy your Thanksgiving Holiday on behalf of That’s Good HR and here’s to hoping your list of things and people to be grateful for is very, very long. Enjoy a smile on us today!
