The secret to business and life longevity…
Every once in a while the newspaper gives me some good food for thought to pass on to all of you. Such as, how to show your customers they are special and appreciated. A McDonald’s in Michigan demonstrated this beautifully recently.
A young lady, Georgia Boynton, celebrated her 100th birthday at the same McDonald’s she has been patronizing for the last 15 years. This time when she visited for her regular hamburger and coffee, however, she was treated to a birthday celebration courtesy of the restaurant manager, Irene Burelle, and her staff.
This celebration was not a spur of the moment decision. It was planned well in advance and coordinated with Ms. Boynton’s family, after the McDonald’s staff discovered last year she was 99 years old. The staff made sure the family brought her in for her birthday, and she was surprised with a cake and balloons. How many business owners even know when their customer’s birthday are, much less have a plan to give them special recognition? Not many I would guess…
Ms. Boynton’s longevity secret? Loving her family and being happy. What a world we would have if all business owners empowered their employees to treat all customers as part of their “extended family” and gave up the “it’s our policy” mentality…
