For the first time, we’re adding to an existing category of our expanding list of “Words of Wisdom” on our web site.
Due to the recent media focus on change in most every aspect of American life, we’ve added 21 additional quotes to that category.
Feel free to check out the “Words of Wisdom” should you be in need of a refreshing thought, idea, slogan or profound nugget for an upcoming meeting, presentation, or lunch room bulletin board.
We offer interesting quotes on the subjects of leadership, teamwork, customer service, time management, goals, change, motivation, sales, potential, gender, creativity, repetition, enthusiasm, employees, attitude, networking and fear.
Click on “Words of Wisdom” in order to review our entire offering.
|
Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.    
|
It appears as though we’re moving in the right direction with our “Generational Gems” category as I’ve received a number of comments from readers that appreciate the revival of some favorite “classics,” others have been reminded of “Gems” they had totally forgotten, and a few others are now making a concerted effort to pass some of their favorites on to the younger generation in hopes of keeping them alive.
This is the story about a farmer who lived in Africa on a good-sized plot of land. Over the years, the farmer learned that diamonds were being discovered in abundance all over the African continent. He got so excited about the idea of millions of dollars worth of diamonds that he sold his farm and began his search for fame and fortune. Leaving his family behind, he wandered all over the continent, constantly searching for diamonds which he never found. Eventually he went completely broke and, in despair, threw himself into a river and drowned.
Can the same be said of you? In your search for a better job, new home, fashionable friends, better education, additional experience, good employees, greater riches, peace of mind, contentment … consider looking much closer to home. Think about the possibility of finding the riches of life in one’s own back yard. For instance, are you searching for new employees rather than developing the potential of those currently on your payroll?
I must be honest here. I’m really not crazy about the title of this category: “Out-of-the-Box Thinking.” I feel that term is not only old—it’s been beaten to death. That’s why we promote one of 
It was the janitor’s idea. The famous El Cortez Hotel in San Diego provides an excellent example of the tremendous benefits and competitive advantage of listening to employees at every level in an organization. The hotel management decided to install an additional elevator to better serve their guests. Engineers drew up plans cutting holes through each floor of the hotel. A janitor, who was genuinely concerned about this approach, shared his concern that this would make a great deal of confusion and clutter. The janitor was told not to worry because the hotel would be closed to guests during the construction. The janitor asked, “Why not build the elevator on the outside of the hotel?” At the time, this architectural concept had never been done before, but after investigation by the engineers, it proved an idea that was worth developing and is now commonplace in buildings today worldwide. The janitor’s idea saved the El Cortez from lost revenue, employees from losing salary and major clean-up costs related to the construction of the new elevator. Here is another obvious example of taking advantage of the experience, pride, knowledge and creativity of existing staff members.
We often speak of the importance of tapping the full potential of your organization. So many companies regularly ignore this tremendous asset while others focus on it and reap the obvious benefits. We hear so much about Southwest Airlines and the fact that they lead the industry in so many categories. So many people struggle to figure out how Southwest succeeds at a time when so many of their competitors struggle simply to survive. The answer is obvious and Southwest does nothing to hide it. In fact, they proudly share this secret in books, magazines, interviews, and all over their web site. The secret—their people and the culture they so eagerly support. In February 2000, Southwest Airlines CEO Herb Kelleher sent a letter concerning the current fuel cost crisis to the home of every employee. “Jet fuel costs three times what it did one year ago. Southwest was using 19 million gallons a week at that time (Today they use closer to 31 million gallons per week!). Our profitability is in jeopardy,” he wrote. He asked each worker to help by identifying a way to save $5 a day. The response was immediate. A group of mechanics figured out how to reduce the cost of heating the aircraft. Another department offered to do its own janitorial work. Within six weeks of the letter being sent to the employees, this large organization found ways to save more than $2 million. So many other organizations have the same opportunity but clearly choose to ignore it.
In the spirit of C.A.N.I. (Continuous And Never-ending Improvement), here are this week’s new facts—one for each day of your coming week. Pass them on to others to keep the spirit alive or invite your friends and family to visit our blog where they can also view previous entries.
There are far too many questions out there in our everyday routines that need to be asked. I’m not talking about questions that will end wars, abolish poverty, cure all diseases, or eliminate the world’s problems. I’m talking about the questions that drive us crazy due to their simplicity and the questions that absolutely no one seems to be able to answer. It seems like there’s no end to these questions as I discover new ones constantly.
I share this fond learning experience as a result of a pleasant shock I received during a recent visit to my local Barnes and Noble. While browsing the magazine rack, I was astounded to discover a colorful publication with the bold title of Grit adorning its cover. My initial impulse was coincidence as cherished memories flooded my mind. However, upon close and immediate scrutiny, I discovered that this magazine was indeed the descendant of the weekly classic I delivered to so many loyal readers. I immediately purchased a copy, hurried home and thoroughly perused the content before researching Google for a refreshing update of this new found treasure.
And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned—the biggest word of all—LOOK! Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and equality and sane living. Take any one of those items and extrapolate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life and work or your government or your world and it holds true and clear and firm. Think what a better world it would be if we all—the whole world—had cookies and milk about 3 o’clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankets for a nap. Or if all governments had as a basic policy to always put things back where they found them and to clean up their own mess. And it is still true, no matter how old you are—when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.
