Was everyone driving with their brights on? I covered the sharp beams with a gloved hand and mellowed my walking pace. Funny how easy it is to misstep when the dark of early morning is suddenly illuminated, rushed, accelerated. I’ve lived like that before. Always wanting to be first to the office. To get a good parking spot. To be the guy who turned on … Continue reading 2023 Personal Retreat
This year I drove to The Running Event (TRE) in Austin, Texas. Amounted to just over 2500 total round trip miles from my home in central North Carolina. Part of the route followed the same stretch I walked earlier this year. And though that was a nostalgic highlight, it’s not what I came here to write about. TRE, per usual, was a giant reunion. I … Continue reading Trust and Authenticity
Last week at The Running Event, the keynote speaker uttered words every single business owner needs to hear—He said, “Love and business…there’s plenty of room to cultivate both.” Love and business. Two terms that typically don’t get much playing time. Not together, anyhow. But this guy insisted that any business’s future relevance depends on both working as one. The speaker was Walter Robb, former CEO … Continue reading Love and Business
When we know each others’ stories we have a better chance of making a genuine connection. I believe the future of brick and mortar depends on the quality (and authenticity) of your story. Doesn’t matter if you are an owner, a full-timer who wears multiple hats, or an every-other-Saturday part-timer, your story somehow resonates with the brand’s story. So it’s safe to assume that how … Continue reading Your Story is Your Future
Retail is Why I Keep Going Back to México City On a whim in early 2016, I booked a fight to México City. Why? I had Southwest voucher about to expire and the airline had recently opened up this international route. I could never have guessed that less than two years later, I’d have returned three more times. I certainly would never have predicted that … Continue reading This is Your Home
Your Greeting Needs Intention (and Attention) I used to bank where employees were obviously required to punch every customer in the chest with a canned greeting. “Good morning/afternoon sir/ma’am, welcome to blah-blah bank. How can I be of assistance today?” Ugh. Each time I walked in I felt embarrassed for the employee on deck. Their sad face spouting a scripted and sullen hello, likely motivated by … Continue reading Yo, What Up?
Tom Griffen 