Good people equals good business.

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114494256546925680.post-18122775443437728322008-03-17T11:12:00.000-07:002008-03-17T11:17:36.298-07:00Good people equals good business.I flew back from a <st2:placename st="on">Team</st2:placename> <st2:placetype st="on">Building</st2:placetype> show in <st2:city st="on"><st2:place st="on">Miami</st2:place></st2:city> last week. It was great. <st2:place st="on">Lot</st2:place>’s of fun. <st2:state st="on"><st2:place st="on">Florida</st2:place></st2:state>’s great. <o:p> </o:p> My flight included a layover in <st2:city st="on"><st2:place st="on">Atlanta</st2:place></st2:city>. In the few minutes that we had to spare, <st1:givenname st="on">Marybeth</st1:givenname>, (my acting partner), and I chose a place to eat in the airport. <st1:givenname st="on">Nathan</st1:givenname>’s famous hot dogs. A famous chain. Great food. Great reputation. <o:p> </o:p> Although the place was very busy, there, behind the counter were approximately 5, (or 6), very “listless” employees. They were not friendly. They were not mean, they were just "there". I could go down the list of issues that I had with the staff there, but that would waste everyone’s time. But you know what I’m talking about. They don’t care. If you ask for “mayonnaise”, they give you a disgusted look. If your drink was not right, they hold the replacement drink close to their body so that you have to extend out to get it. <st1:givenname st="on">Marybeth</st1:givenname> and I laughed about them for 5 minutes or so. I’m sure the fine folks at <st1:givenname st="on">Nathan</st1:givenname>’s would not be happy with that crew. But I loved my Philly cheese steak. It was the best. <o:p> </o:p> We got on our plane and took off. Our flight arrived at <st2:city st="on"><st2:place st="on">St. Louis</st2:place></st2:city> at 10:30ish, (that’s pm), and by the time we got our luggage, it was 11:00ish. We wheeled our luggage out to the Car Park shuttles. <o:p> </o:p> When we approached the shuttle for our particular parking garage….the driver, (an older man), stepped out, smiled and nicely said, “Welcome home”. Frankly, I was caught off guard. The only comeback I could think of was “thanks”. <o:p> </o:p> He helped with our luggage. We sat down in the back of the shuttle. It quickly filled. By radio, “<st2:personname st="on"><st1:title st="on">Mr.</st1:title> <st1:sn st="on">Larry</st1:sn></st2:personname>” was told to wait 90 seconds before departure. No new riders were coming so he turned around and said, “I know you all have been out of town so you probably didn’t hear about the big accident here in <st2:city st="on"><st2:place st="on">St. Louis</st2:place></st2:city> last night.” <o:p> </o:p> Concerned, we all said, “No! What happened?” <o:p> </o:p> <st2:personname st="on"><st1:title st="on"> </st1:title></st2:personname><st2:personname st="on"><st1:title st="on">Mr.</st1:title> <st1:sn st="on">Larry</st1:sn></st2:personname> said, “A man had a wreck and lost his left arm and his left leg.” <o:p> </o:p> We all said, “Oh. That’s terrible!” <o:p> </o:p> <st2:personname st="on"><st1:title st="on"> </st1:title></st2:personname><st2:personname st="on"><st1:title st="on">Mr.</st1:title> <st1:sn st="on">Larry</st1:sn></st2:personname> said, “Yeah, but he’s all “RIGHT” now.” <o:p> </o:p> Everyone laughed just a little. <o:p> </o:p> So, at 11:00 at night, with a shuttle bus full of very tired passengers, <st2:personname st="on"><st1:title st="on">Mr.</st1:title> <st1:sn st="on">Larry</st1:sn></st2:personname> quickly drove us to our cars and told us jokes. Silly jokes. Children’s jokes. <o:p> </o:p> <st1:givenname st="on"> </st1:givenname><st1:givenname st="on">Marybeth</st1:givenname> and I ended up being the last on the shuttle. As soon as we were alone with <st2:personname st="on"><st1:title st="on">Mr.</st1:title> <st1:sn st="on">Larry</st1:sn></st2:personname> I said, “How long have you been doing this?” <o:p> </o:p> “Five years.” <o:p> </o:p> “Do you get more tips than the other drivers?” <o:p> </o:p> “I don’t know, but I’m happy with the tips I get.” <o:p> </o:p> Do the other drivers know your secret to more tips?” <o:p> </o:p> “I don’t know if they do or not.” <o:p> </o:p> ”Well. Maybe they do, maybe they don’t, but you and I know, don’t we.” <o:p> </o:p> “Yep.” <o:p> </o:p> <st2:personname st="on"><st1:title st="on"> </st1:title></st2:personname><st2:personname st="on"><st1:title st="on">Mr.</st1:title> <st1:sn st="on">Larry</st1:sn></st2:personname> stopped at our car, helped us unload, gratefully accepted a tip, waved and drove away into the night. <o:p> </o:p> I like people who do their job well. I really do.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Randy Manning is a professional actor, writer and director. You may reach him at JestForFunEntertainment.com or RandyManning.com</div>Randy Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05385714781166695242noreply@blogger.com