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Aspiration or Arrogance?

There are a few things in life that I really enjoy doing. One is relaxing and having a good laugh with friends. Another is watching rugby, particularly the All Blacks. Another is reading a good biography or autobiography. So, to combine two of these, I have just finished reading Wyatt Crockett’s biography Croczilla – a very good read, particularly as we are on the cusp of another rugby world cup.This quote on page 160 caught my eye:“There have been many accusations made against t...

The Rewards of Volunteering

Recently I was involved in the junior prizegiving ceremonies for two local sports clubs and a service organisation. All the events were well run, and the kids enjoyed them immensely.  It was great to see their efforts rewarded. The thing that struck me the most was the enthusiasm and commitment of the volunteers who give up their time to run the clubs. Hours and hours of unpaid work go into it.Our community thrives because of the selfless participation of these people – whether it’s coa...

What Can I Give Someone Who’s at the End of Their Life?

Over the period of a month recently, our family faced a crisis, and this gave me pause to remind myself what the important things are in life. While visiting the hospital I came into contact with many people at the end of their lives. It was sad, confronting, and thought-provoking. I witnessed families facing hard decisions about the ongoing care of loved ones. Or, sadly, how to make their last days as comfortable as possible.  The patients in the ward had obviously lived full and happ...

Getting Mow-tivated

The other day a customer said, “The best way to make sure my house is clean, is to invite someone over for dinner!” I laughed about that. But somehow, it rang true. If I want to make sure our section is tidy, I invite my Dad over. His garden is like a park, and just knowing he is coming motivates me to get out behind the lawn mower. Is it that we are worried about what other people think of us, or is that we need to put ourselves under pressure to do the things we know we should do anyway?&n...

Sorry, I Didn’t Get What You Said

There have been numerous occasions when I’ve acted on what I thought someone said, only to find out that I had completely the wrong end of the stick. And vice-versa.  In the pharmacy the other day, this occurred in my interaction with one of the staff. Luckily it wasn’t a serious conversation and there weren’t any dire consequences. But it caused me to think.Yes. I may be facing you, and seeing your mouth open and close, but what I’m hearing is not what you’re saying. As the quote...

Brand Loyalty Is Not Just About the Money

Many customers are drawn to a business solely because of the money they can save by shopping there. People are also becoming more fickle when bargain-hunting – they will switch brands in a heartbeat if they can get a better deal across the road from their regular supplier, or online. There is another kind of customer, and perhaps another kind of business, where loyalty built over time plays a big part in the relationship. What’s going on here, and why is it important?The interesting thing is...