The WOW Factor...

I have always been drawn to this concept of "Wow" by Tom Peters. In his book, published in 1994, Peters pursues the idea of standing out in a crowd. Largely written for the business world, Peters tries to help businesses see that there are many look-alikes out there. The goal is to be just a little bit surprising and different.

While there are many critics of Peters' and his business philosophies out there, I know that the pursuit of "Wow" is legitimate. When I am "wowed" in a place of business, I am more likely to go back to that place again.

This weekend, I was "Wowed" by a hotel desk employee. Upon arrival, I learned that the travel agency that made the arrangements for our stay at the soccer tournament messed up. They did not put my information in and there was no reservation for me. Peachy, yes that was her name, immediately began calling and trying to figure it out. Eventually, she found me a room and made a reservation in her very full hotel.

The next day, more than 24 hours AFTER she worked so hard to help me find a room...Peachy saw my DS 4 and I walking outside and said, "Hello, Mrs. N. how are you doing today?" I was FLOORED. I know she dealt with a BUNCH of people the previous day. And she still remembered, and used, my name! WOW!

This morning, our paper had a GOOD NEWS story that WOWED me. I thought it was funny in light of this post I wrote last week. It was the shot in the arm that I needed in the morning news:

Headline: "Miami Banker Shares $60 million of Wealth with Employees"

Without clicking, I thought, "WOW"...that's a lot of money. And, I believe there are many people with that kind of money who simply don't know HOW to share.

Opening paragraph:

Citing a desire to reward his employees, a Miami banker doled out $60 million in bonuses to all staffers and even some retirees after he sold a majority stake in the company for close to $1 billion.

The article continues:

The board chairman and CEO of Miami-based City National Bancshares said by way
of explanation: "I sure as heck don't need" the money.Abess said he was
concerned that employees' 401(k) plans had suffered major losses as stock values
plummeted last year. "I knew some of these people since I was 7 years old," said Abess, whose father founded the bank in 1946. "It didn't feel right getting the money myself." He added that "those people who joined me and stayed with me at the bank with no promise of equity -- I always thought someday I'm going to surprise them."

And surprise them, he did! All 399 current employees and 72 retirees received a bonus based on their years of service. He also provided financial counseling and high-rate certificates of deposit at the bank. The article notes that some people received as much as $100,000 extra.

Wow!

Most of us don't have that kind of money sitting around to dole out. BUT we all have the capacity to dole out the "Wow factor" to someone else. I'm going to find a way this week to surprise someone with a simple act of kindness...I'm not looking for the jaw drop as much as I want to pass on what has been given to me on so many different occasions. I believe this is one thing that really could change our world!

Perhaps you'd like to join me in the pursuit of wow as well!