There’s been a lot of discussion this week about politicians, celebrities, and sports figures. Some called it the perfect storm of inappropriate behavior. These incidents seemed to happen within days of each other.

If you have missed any of these discussions, here’s what you missed.
Rep. Joe Wilson from the State of South Carolina yelled out “You Lie” at President Obama, as he gave a speech that was being carried live to the nation.

Tennis star Serena Williams, while competing at the U.S. Open. Became upset at the line judge for calling a foul against her. We watched live as she cursed at, and threatened the line judge.

Later this week singer Kanye West who was attending a music awards show. Went on stage as singer Taylor Swift was receiving an award for best video. Mr. West took the microphone away from her, and told the audience that another artist was much more deserving.

Needless to say after the immediate public backlash. Apologies were forthcoming from each of them. What struck me as interesting was that Serena stated that she was just passionate about her game. Rep. Joe Wilson was said to just be very passionate about the issues of health care reform. Kanye West said he was just wrong, and hadn’t grieved over his mothers death properly!

I ask, are we becoming a nation that is so frustrated, so blind with anger. That we can no longer see each other as human beings? I’m a strong believer in the Golden Rule, treat people like you want to be treated. Whatever happened to being able to agree to disagree? We as a people, as a nation can be better then this!

President Obama likes to use the phrase “Teachable Moments”.
Let’s each of us before we face the world each day, purpose to love, and respect one another. Make sure you say Please, and Thank you. Be gracious in your giving, and your receiving.
These were the little things we were taught as children.
Let us never forget them as we grow old!

I wonder how many of us go from day to day being really busy? When someone ask me how my day, or week was. I find myself answering it was pretty busy! In my quest to live my dream and be a full time professional speaker. My 9 to 5 job is consuming more and more of my time. In these tough economic times like most companies, mine is asking me to give and do more.

How many of us stop pursuing our dreams? How many of us say, I’ll get back to it after I’m done making a living? I’ve been down this road before, and I can’t go down it again! Neither can you, life is too short to to live each day just being busy.

Whatever your dreams are, whatever you have a burning passion for. Let today be the day that you begin to live for them. Find and surround yourself with others, who will encourage and support you on your journey.

Take ownership of and accountability for the life you truly want to live! If you really want it, as my friend Jim Jacobus said. “You have to do the work.”

Change your thought process, don’t let doubt and negativity creep in. You must be your biggest cheerleader in the game of life!

I’m reminded of a quote from one of my favorite movies “The Shawshank Redemption.”

As “Red” Morgan Freeman’s character is riding on that Trailways bus to finally see his friend Andy. He states at some point in life you have to make a choice. “Get busy living, or get busy dying.”

I choose to “Get busy living.”

I going to write about internal customer service today. Not the internal customer service in business between co workers . This blog deals with the personal side of customer service, and how we interact with loved ones. Is there a difference in how we treat people at work, and in how we treat our loved ones at home? Let me share a very personal story of my weekend.

My 19 year old daughter and I got into a heated argument on Sunday. Now I’m sure I’m not the first parent to ever get into an argument with their 19 year old. This one however got to the point where my wife had to intervene and get in between us.

My wife told me that whatever was said, I should have just walked away. Now that sounds fine right now. In the heat of the moment though both, I and my daughter said everything that we felt like saying. Two days later the collateral damage of hurt feelings, and pain are just as strong as they were on Sunday. The family bond has been shaken, and even though I believe it will come back together in time. Each of us has to heal in our own way, and that will take time.

Do I have regrets, absolutely! Do I wish things would not have gotten so heated, absolutely!
If I had been dealing with a customer service issue at work, it would never have gotten to that point! Why, because my training would have walked me through every scenario. To save and maintain that relationship with the customer. My training would have helped me express to that customer how much I valued that relationship, no matter who was at fault.

You see when you think about it, family are our lifelong customers. We make emotional deposits, and transactions with them all the time. Those transactions enrich our lives beyond measure. We can’t place a value, or return on investment on those relationships, they’re priceless!

So as we all go about our daily lives trying to make a difference in someones life. As we all strive to gain and retain our valued customers in the business world. Let’s not forget our internal customers, who truly do make a difference!

Have you gone to your favorite restaurant lately? How about your local bank, or coffee house?

As we all deal with the effects of the economic crisis. It’s imperative that business leaders understand the economics of Quality customer service!

I recently read an article from the book “Customer Service for Dummies”. The articles title was “It pays to please“. It states we love and cherish those companies that treat us the way we like to be treated. We’ll even pay more to obtain these services! Here are some recent survey statistics that prove the point:

* We’ll spend up to 10 percent more for the same product with better service.

* When we receive good service, we tell 9 to 12 people on average.

* When we receive poor service, we tell up to 20 people.

* An 82 percent chance exist that customers will repurchase from a company if their complaint is handled quickly and pleasantly.

* If the service is really poor, 91 percent of retail customers won’t go back to a store.

As leaders in business, and in the community we can’t forget our greatest asset, People.

The strongest tie that binds us together, is the need to feel and be valued. Showing your employees that they are valued has to start from the top. That message has to be genuine and consistent, communicated all the way down to the employee working behind the service counter.

Those feelings of value and appreciation will then be passed on to your customers. Not because your employees were told to do so, but because they are living it everyday. It’s become your company culture.