Don't be the Cadillac dealer

I was taking a class at work and this video was part of the class and I thought it'd make an excellent blog post topic.

This video by Bill Taylor, co-founder of Fast Company magazine, is from the Harvard Business Review.

Be the Buick dealer. He just made a few small gestures and earned a customer for life...as well as potential customers from everyone who heard the story. How much did it cost him? A few dollars for a card and some flowers...and a caring attitude.

The small things can make or break a sale. Don't be the Cadillac dealer who refused to honor a $1,000 voucher that expired the day before...he saved his company $1,000 but lost a sale worth tens of thousands of dollars. The Buick salesman was out of pocket by less than $100 probably and the dealer was out $1,000 if they honored the Cadillac voucher, but they sold a LaCrosse for about $30,000 to $40,000. But made much more than that in goodwill as the story gets told over and over.

Do the small things that show you care about other human beings. It's probably the best marketing you can do for yourself.

Suddenly, I want a Buick! Actually, I do like the Buick Cascada.

Let me show you how you can be the Buick dealer.

Interesting days

Today - Bubble Bath Day, Poetry At Work Day, Earth’s Rotation Day, Argyle Day, Show & Tell At Work Day and Joy Germ Day

Tomorrow - Apricot Day, Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, Static Electricity Day, Play God Day and Balloon Ascension Day

Next Tuesday - Hat Day, Pothole Day and Strawberry Ice Cream Day

February 8 - Kite Flying Day, Laugh And Get Rich Day, Opera Day and Molasses Bar Day