Connecting

I have said over and over again that you never know where a connection might lead. Let me illustrate this reality in a quick but powerful example.

There is a local bank that I started calling on in 2001 with my office equipment company. At first, I had very little success getting my foot in the door though the receptionist was extremely nice every time I either stopped by or called. One day I received a call out of the blue and it was the receptionist and she informed me she had been put in charge of the duties of ordering supplies for their various technology. I will admit that I was surprised at first because though our interactions had always been pleasant, she had been adament that the bank was satisfied with their present vendor(s).

Apparently the VP who had been in charge of ordering the various items previously was leaving the bank and the receptionist had been approached to take over the supplies responsibiltiy by one of the other VP's that didn't want to do it. She gladly agreed.

I asked her why she was giving me a shot and I remember this as if it was yesterday, "You were one of the only sales people that I have ever dealt with that has never made me feel like a secretary. You have always treated me with respect and dignity and now that I am in a position to work with you, I am." She continued by telling me that their present vendor had always treated her lower than low and had in fact referred to her as "the banks front desk girl." She never forgot that and was all too happy to send them packing when she was able. Talk about a ripple!

I always say never judge a book by its cover. Treat everyone with respect and dignity. Treat them better than you want to be treated and you never know what might happen.

Today, that receptionist is not only a friend but a VP of the bank and responsible for sending many, many positive ripples my direction when and where she can.