Linda Blackman, a speaker friend of mine, shared with me a favorite expression of her husband, Laurie’s, whenever he is doing something important like giving a presentation: “I’m ready for bear!” Whenever Linda is on the road or giving a presentation herself, Laurie always sends her a little stuffed bear in honor of his support and encouragement, tying back to this favorite expression.
On Valentine’s Day Linda was at their home in Naples, Florida, while Laurie was going to be giving a very important presentation in New Orleans. That morning Linda called the gift shop at the hotel and asked the young man working there, whose name was James, if they had any kind of stuffed bear they could send to her husband’s room.
James said he was sorry but they only carried sundries. Linda went on to explain why she wanted the bear and how important it was to get it to her husband before his presentation that evening and asked James if he might be able to go somewhere close and pick one up and she would send him a check.
His response was, “Ma’am, do you realize that is is MARDI GRAS, and this whole city is wall to wall people” Linda said she had forgotten that, and very disappointedly, ended the conversation.
Sometime later she received a surprise call from James telling her that he had thought about how important getting the bear would be to her husband, so he had asked the manager if he could stop at the drugstore and pick one up for her. He had just returned from that trip, and he had a BEAR!
Of course, Linda was thrilled and asked him how much she owed him and where to send the money. He replied, “Please. You do not need to send a check. This was such fun to do for you.” He then attached a note reading “You’re ready for bear! Happy Valentine’s Day. Love, Linda” and hand delivered it to Laurie’s room, just in time to reach him before his presentation.
What a wonderful sense of humor and good heart this young man had to go out of his way for a perfect stranger – and then not even charge her what it cost him! We need more people like this in the world.
For more wonderful customer service stories, check out some of Barbara’s books at www.barbaraglanz.com/products/books.php3
