They Turned Lemons into Lemonade

Can you think of a time when you were the customer, “they” made a mistake, but handled it in such a way that you ended up happy, kept doing business with them, and maybe even recommended them to others?
Isn’t it great when that happens?
Don’t you wish it happened more? It would be a whole lot easier for everybody in the long run.
With the hope of raising the awareness of and promoting the mastery of Mistake Management, we have declared September Mistake Management Month. And we are looking for lemons to lemonade stories.
Here are a few to get things started….about Domino’s, Outback Steak House and Four Corners Restaurant. Read more
Yes! We celebrate mistakes!

Does your organization celebrate mistakes? Reward mistakes? Make it safe to make and learn from mistakes?
Like the ones below about Ben & Jerry’s, Keebler Cookies & Crackers and Brogan & Partners.
We’d love to hear your story too!
It’s Mistake Management Month!
September is Mistake Management Month here at Business Class.
The purpose is to raise awareness of mistake management and to celebrate those who do it masterfully.
The mechanics of and the philosophy behind managing mistakes is missing in most Customer Service Plans.
Brainteaser of the Week #44
Use a brainteaser to start, revive or end a meeting. It’s a great way to shift the brain, spark new energy, maybe even cause a giggle or a smile. All of which can help you boost morale and productivity. Making it easier to get wherever or whatever it is you want to get.
This one reveals a great tip for….oops…better not tell you. Have already given you enough hints.
Brainteaser #44 is below. Read more
Quote of the Week: What’s the next step?
Do less. Leave things undone. Stop the busy-ness. Get going. Build momentum…even if it is with baby steps. Sound contradictory or confusing?
This week we clarify and reinforce critical points and share helpful how to’s. So…
It’s a question asked frequently by take-charge-make-it-happen leaders.
It keeps things moving… Read more
Theme for the Week: Next Steps

For four weeks straight, we shared quotes and tips and lists that suggested doing less, leaving things undone and even coming up with a list of things to stop doing altogether in order to stop the busy-ness.
And then last week…we said to get going, to build momentum…even if it is with baby steps.
Sound contradictory or confusing?
This week we will clarify and reinforce critical points about next steps. Plus helpful how to’s. Read more
Movie of the Week: What about Bob?

“There’s NO way!”
That’s what we heard Wilma say as she stood at the bottom of that uncountable number of steps to be climbed. And all in those high heels.
She has been standing there for quite some time now.
Is she frozen with fright?
Or indecision?
Maybe she doesn’t know how?
Everyone is talking about how she is procrastinating.
Whatever it is, she feels bad about herself – morale and productivity at rock bottom.
How can her manager or leader help? Read more
The power of inaction

Theme for the Week: There’s NO way.
That’s what we imagine the woman at left is saying.
And we are hoping that she will read and post our Quote of the Week as a reminder that even the journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step. It can be step that takes 5 minutes or less. It just must be taken. Just to “get the ball rolling”. To feel a hint of progress. A bit of achievement. A sense of success.
And what if she doesn’t take a step. What if she stays right there frozen with fright or indecision?
Read these wise words that Baby Boomer Talk Online sent in one of their daily quotes: Read more
There’s power in momentum

Mark Young sends out daily quotes from Baby Boomer Talk Online. A few recent ones fit right in with the way that woman at the bottom of the stairs may feel. And with what happens to be our Theme for the Week: There’s NO way.
Our Quote of the Week reminds us that even a journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step. It can be step that takes 5 minutes or less. It just must be taken. Just to “get the ball rolling”. To feel a hint of progress. A bit of achievement. A sense of success.
Here are the words of nudging wisdom that Mark recently sent: Read more
Brainteaser of the Week #43
Use a brainteaser to start, revive or end a meeting. It’s a great way to shift the brain, spark new energy, maybe even cause a giggle or a smile. All of which can help boost morale and productivity when it seems there is NO way.
Brainteaser #43 is:
If you had only one match and entered a cold room that had a kerosene lamp, an oil heater and a wood stove, which would you light first for maximum heat?
Ready for the answer? Read more

