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Exceptional Customer Service

Exceptional Customer Service

For a time in my life, I had the pleasure of working as a professional speaker for Fred Pryor Seminars.

After being with the company a short time, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime. I was asked to travel to teach in the United Kingdom.

It was a few days before I was about to embark on the two-week swing, when at the last minute, I was told, “While you are there, you need to present an in-house seminar for a company.”

I had never taught the “Exceptional Customer Service” seminar before. I wanted to go on the trip, so I accepted the assignment. Soon I became comfortable with the content. As you might imagine, I spent hours practicing to be ready for the six-hour seminar.

When I finally arrived on site, I was fully prepared to speak to a large group. I quickly learned the company was very small, and less than ten people planned to attend.

Fortunately, I knew my material and related several personal stories about customer service.

I can still see the room where we met. The staff’s sole purpose that day was to take part in the training. The energy in the room was upbeat because the team did not have to work.

The rest of the trip, I taught “Coaching Skills for Managers and Supervisors,” and “Business Writing for Results.” One morning I went to a theater in the heart of London. I taught Business Writing for Results. There were five hundred people in attendance. I guess you could say, That day, I taught the English a thing or two about English.”

The trip was a success, so much so that a few months later, I was asked to go again.

Want to read more about my time with Fred Pryor? Read how a missed plane turned into a real adventure.

The Night I Drove Over the Continental Divide

Tell me what you think below and please join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.

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Sharon Norris Elliott Has Just Released Her Latest Book, Why I Get Into Trouble

Sharon Norris Elliott Has Just Released Her Latest Book, Why I Get Into Trouble

I give Why I Get Into Trouble a five star rating.

The story in Sharon’s children’s picture book is told in verse. It is engaging and well-written. The back of the book says,

“God has made us all special. He has also explained in his word, the Bible, what is right and what is wrong. The brother and sister in this book want to behave, but sometimes they are not being good. They would like to know why they get into trouble. Wouldn’t you like to know too?”

Why I Get Into Trouble is beautifully illustrated. To order the book on Amazon, look up Sharon Norris Elliott. When you order, be sure to get the book with the red “Trouble.”

I have known Sharon since March 2008. That year, she was a faculty member at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. I still remember how she taught a class on brainstorming book ideas. I have a vivid memory of the room where everyone wrote ideas on pieces of paper and posted them on the wall. In less than an hour, the project I was working on came to life.

Fast forward eleven years later to summer 2019. I had a zoom call with Sharon when she was teaching at SoCal Christian Writers Conference. In February 2021, I signed an agreement with Sharon’s AuthorizeMe Literary Agency. As my agent, Sharon arranged the deal for my series of seven children’s picture books with Elk Lake Publishing, Inc. in September 2021.

Want to know more about Sharon and her books? Go to
https://elklakepublishinginc.com/sharon-norris-elliott/.

Tell me what you think below and please join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.

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California Citrus State Historic Park

California Citrus State Historic Park

With relatives in town from Missouri, it was time to go exploring.

One trip took us on an adventure to a wonderful state park. We got to walk through exhibits, take a tour, and taste various citrus varieties including oranges, lemons, and cumquats.

Along Van Buren Boulevard in Riverside there was an building with a big orange on one corner. Across the street was a Gless Ranch Orchard open-air fruit stand that sold bags of fruit, nuts, and more.

We drove down the street and followed the signs to the entrance of the park. There it was: a visitor center and museum in the center of a citrus grove. The modest price for parking was well worth the price of admission.

We happened to arrive just in time for a free, guided tour. Our tour guide led us on a walk through the grove. We even got to sample freshly picked fruit along the way.

It was a great place to take family and friends. I highly recommend you visit this state park. I give it my five star rating. The phone number is (951) 780-6222.

Have you had a similar experience? Let me know.

Tell me what you think below and please join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.

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I Love to Write. I Love to Write Books. I Love to Write Children’s Books.

I Love to Write. I Love to Write Books. I Love to Write Children’s Books.

The last several weeks I have been working with a high performance coach. One task my coach assigned has led me learn more about my competition.

Months ago, before I ever landed my seven-book publishing contract, I did an exhaustive search of comparable titles related to my first book. This ended up being one section of the book proposal that won me the contract.

Yet, once I had my list of titles I thought I was finished, so I went on to work on other things.

My coach asked me to delve deeper in to the habits of the authors of successful children’s books.  I have looked at books, the author’s websites, and the book’s and author’s presence on Amazon. Integrating these has given me a new appreciation for the interrelationship between a book, the author’s website, and book marketing.

I am excited to report that this research project has reignited my desire to rise to the occasion and be the best children’s book author I can be. Researching and learning from other great authors, who are some of the best of the best in the business, is revolutionizing how I view serving those who will eventually buy my books.

All I needed was for my coach to point me in the right direction, and I was off and running.

Let me know if you have had a similar experience.

Tell me what you think below and please join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.

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A Time for Reflection: Joseph J. Gould – A Friend Remembered

A Time for Reflection: Joseph J. Gould – A Friend Remembered.

The other day, I had breakfast with my friend, David. He gave me some pictures that brought back memories of a number of our friends and his father who now have passed away. We reminisced about the good old days. I mentioned I had written something right after his father had passed away in 2005. Well, I looked in my computer and found what I had written. This is a long overdue obituary for a man who encouraged me when I was growing up.

In 2005 I wrote the following:

Less than two hours ago, I learned of the death of a long-time friend. Knowing someone from age 16 until now has been great. It gives my life meaning to have spent time with Joe Gould. He was an example: He served in the U.S. military; and he was a Scout Leader for many years.

Through his contacts, I was able to find one of my first jobs; I started my work career on a Hollywood parking lot. (Knowing his sons helped.)

He encouraged me to create a speech for a competition at the Chinatown Optimist Club.  This man served as a life-long champion of youth and his community.

He was the founding owner of Hollywood National Bank. One time, when he was serving as an LA-area bank president for another bank, and I was working as a “headhunter.” He needed an employee to fill a spot as a branch manager. Although his criteria sounded impossible, he gave me a shot at filling the position, and, yes, I located the person he ultimately selected.

I still see him vibrant and alive: as husband of his beloved Dorothy, father to Marc (and his long-time girlfriend, Cindy) and David (and his wife, Deborah), as grandfather to Yona, D’ror (A.K.A. Justin) and Sarah, and as an uncle and relative of so many.

He was an incredible mentor and encourager. As a Boy Scouts of America leader he helped countless children as they grew into adulthood. He was active in the religious life of the Jewish community. He and his wife, together, were advocates of Soviet Jewry.

Additionally, it was through the gracious sponsorship of exchange students, coming in and out of the home from faraway places, I made other life-long friends. Although many friends and relatives I see only occasionally at family functions, I know this man was forever loved and respected.

I want to add my prayers to the many who are praying for the family at this time. May God bless, and keep all who morn this man’s passing.

When you think of the “good old days,” who comes to mind? Reach out to him or her and tell them what they mean to you. If they have passed, write something in memorial, and share with their loved ones.

Tell me what you think below and please join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.

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Words: The Weather as a Metaphor

Words: The Weather as a Metaphor

As a writer, I am fascinated by words.

Dictionary.com defines a metaphor as “A figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance, as in ‘A mighty fortress is our God.’”

I once heard a speaker talking about “weather” conditions.

Literally, the weather outside was beautiful, but he was talking all about stormy weather. I finally asked myself, “What is this talk really about?”

The weather turned out to be a metaphor for life.

A beautiful day meant all was well. The bright and sunny skies were a cause for optimism.

A stormy day, in contrast, represented a time when trouble was brewing.

Relationships, jobs, and health take on new meaning when applied to in climate weather. For example, a relationship experiencing stormy weather sounds like it is in crisis.

Consider a workplace said to be experiencing beautiful weather where everyone is getting along until, all of a sudden, things turn cold and overcast.

How is the weather in your life?

Have fun creating your own metaphors.

Tell me what you think below and please join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.