On The Fly

  Twas’ a month before Christmas, with bargains galore. Customers were scurrying, expecting to score, Load-n-Go’s, combo kits, and holiday yard decor. Santa was visiting, with kiddies, at that. Little did they know, the most fun they would have, was to visit Tool Rental, to Pressure Wash their Cat ® . We start the morning, with contractors my friend, Vince pounding the computer, it has no end. The register, it’s finicky, let's not pretend. Call I.T. help? “No, call Jim instead.” The alarm goes off, oh - what a racket, a contractor barks out, “I need that bracket.” A line starts to form, patience is nill’. “I want a jackhammer, that suits the bill.” “Rent me a Hilti. Serve me first, I'll do more than blabber. Your VOC score will fall off the ladder.” Bob slips in, and checks repairs. Get them done early, and no annoying errors. With Amber and Jeff all dressed in red, Joe customer enters with a cap on his head. “I have a repair,” th...

Twas’ the week before Christmas, with bargains galore. Customers were scurrying, expecting to score, Christmas trees, combo kits, and holiday yard decor. Little did they know, the most fun they would have, was to visit Tool Rental to Pressure Wash their Cat ® . We start the morning with Penske my friend, Vince pounding the keyboard, it has no end. The website is finicky, let's not pretend. Then the doorbell rings, oh what a racket, a contractor hollers, “Get me an Auger . . . and that dump trailer too.” A line starts to form, patience is nill’. “I want a jackhammer, that suits the bill. Rent me a Hilti. Serve me first, or I'll do more than blabber. Your VOC score will fall off the ladder.” Bob sneaks in and checks the repairs. Get them done early, and no angry errors. With Jeff and Ricky all dressed in red, Joe customer enters with a cap on his head. “I have a repair,” the customer said. “It's Christmas lights, all green and in red. They don...

No Norelco commercials again this Christmas season! Strangely enough I miss them. Have you noticed how fast time flies as you get up in years? We’re already into November, Thanksgiving in just two days! And yes , “Christmas - is - just around the corner.” Do you have this years tree? Stop by Home Depot and see me . . . It seems like yesterday. Santa cruising down the snow-filled slopes on his triple-head  Norelco  electric shaver. Before your time? No problem they’re on  YouTube  - of course. Now Santa is trying to sell you a luxury sports car (A red Mercedes). As a youngster I was convinced - just around the corner - meant Main Street; Marshall’s Hardware - Santa Land. My brothers and I would take a walk to town to see all the holiday decorations and toys we wanted Santa to bring. Day-and-Palin’s was the only Christmas tree lot that I can remember in Cuba, Illinois. Waiting for Christmas seemed like an eternity. The toys have morphed somehow, instead of a...

July Customer Service All Star “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” I was reminded of this recently while learning a new job in the Electrical department of Home Depot. After almost 30 years of working in the jewelry industry, I found myself overwhelmed this summer with: new training materials, employee names, technical terms, acronyms, advice, procedures, passwords, and of all things - locker combinations. Developing a readiness to learn is the art that all good teachers practice. I’m afraid people tend to forget what it’s like to be a beginner. I know I do at times. Let’s face it, you tend to take for granted the things you do by habit. In hindsight, it’s easy to explain experiences based on your level of knowledge and understanding, rather than a student’s level of mental preparedness. There’s the key - mental preparedness. Learning a new job is not just having the right attitude towards the job; it’s being able to process the information and DO ...

As a golden dawn breaks against a deep blue night sky a picturesque crescent Moon hovers just above the horizon . . .  “tis the season” of Thanksgiving. The maple trees are in full fall regalia. Many have deposited their leaves. This year we have a lot to be thankful for. We have our health, our family, and yes, that includes Missy and Junior – the tabbies. . . . Its 4:00 am, can’t sleep, too many details including dinner to be prepared. This year - like many before - Lori and I are hosting Thanksgiving dinner for friends and family. Lori is the chef and my self-appointed post is to prepare the house for guests.  This is no small endeavor, the preparations really began about three weekends ago, once the commitment was made. That’s when the repairs really began. A house becomes a home when the family accepts the reality there are always little things that demand repair. At our house these repairs are always neglected until guests are expected. Handyman - I’m no...