When you send a message, back it up with your actions.

Haven't posted in a couple of weeks -- been a busy time, but it's back to the blog now.

It's a beautiful November day in Central New York. I did my usual Wednesday drive from our Fulton office back to Syracuse at mid-day and as I was coming to the stop at the end of the off ramp, a local homeless guy was there with his sign. I don't want to sound crass or uncaring, but I have often thought there is a well oiled network of these guys and they have the best corners and locations in town allocated among them on some rotating basis. Only one person works each corner and you never see the same guy in the same spot two days in a row. The man I saw today didn't look familiar but his sign did. What caught me, though, is that he didn't pay any attention to me as I slowed down to stop. He appeared to be texting on his smartphone. No joke. I watched carefully to be sure that's what he was doing, and it was. I don’t think it was an iPhone4s, but it looked pretty new. I have to be honest with you: it greatly diminished the effect that his "hungry and homeless veteran" sign had on me.

There are a lot of good folks out there who are in trouble through no fault of their own who need our help. And there are others out there who are waiting to take advantage of us. No surprise there. It happens on street corners and it happens in business every day. Does the message you send to the market clearly reflect who you are, what you do and how you do it? Does it reflect integrity and awareness, and can you back that up with your daily actions? If you hang your advertising hat on being the best in customer service, does your staff back that up by paying close attention to your customers? If you will pardon the comparison, do they blankly text on their cell phones as the customer approaches the counter or are they waiting to greet them and make their best effort to help? I had a customer call me yesterday to share an experience he had with a couple of our staff people recently. Good staffers, too, but obviously not at their best on this occasion. I was glad he called; often a customer who feels wronged just walks away and you may never know there was a problem. We got the chance to fix this one. How many get away without an opportunity?

We're coming in to the busy season for most retailers and professionals; let's make it one of the best. Call us at 315-472-7825 or e-mail us at info@scotsmanmediagroup.com  if we can help you put your best foot forward. Thanks.