PATTY @ PAPA MURPHY’S MADE MY DAY

It was 11:45 AM on a knock-about Saturday.  I’d just finished doing some clean-up at our church and was ready to pick up two pizzas that I could pop into the oven later today for dinner for friends before heading off to hear/see Messiah at Green Bay’s Weidner Center. 

I walked into Papa Murphy’s in Sturgeon Bay and placed my order.  I was first to order, followed rapidly by three other groups.  Behind the counter was one person (on alone until noon, I learned) who was taking orders, making pizzas, doing whatever takes place in the back. 

This employee, Patty was her name, I learned, was pleasant, efficient, never lost her cool as the orders began to back up.  Best of all, as each new customer entered, she cheerfully greeted/acknowledged him/her and asked to please wait a few minutes.  (That’s a big one to me: I hate being ignored by a too-busy waitress/clerk/etc.  Just an acknowledgement that I am present and a request to wait … and I surely will wait.) 

As she made my order, I joked with her that she was manager today, as well as assistant manager and gopher. She smiled and, while working like a Tasmanian Devil, said that relief would show up at noon. 

Patty was terrific – cordial, efficient, hard working.  Even though several customers had to wait to place their order, her acknowledgement of them and pleasant demeanor kept them waiting without complaint.        

My point:  Simply to acknowledge a go-the-extra-mile employee and remind all business owners (A) that employees like Patty are out there and (B) when you find one, cherish and reward him or her.  That person is invaluable to the success of your business. 

Work hard. Make money.  Take care of your primo employees!!!!!

The Freestyle Entrepreneur – winner of the 2010 Top 35 Entrepreneur Blog awards from OnLine MBA.

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