John Wayne the Businessman, by Ron White, Mysticism, reading, forums, Numerology, Sun Signs, Divination

Posts: 5109 · Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 6:47 am

1. John Wayne the Businessman, by Ron White
There were few things that marked my boyhood as strongly as westerns. Every Sunday, I arranged my afternoon around The Lone Ranger, The Rifleman and Bonanza. Then, if I was lucky, I would catch a glimpse of what I considered to be the definition of the word “man”—John Wayne—in a late-night western.

My grandmother had a painting of him in her living room, and in my blue-collar family he was a hero. Maybe it was because the characters he portrayed exhibited the qualities that my family lived—blue-collar, hard-working and honest. I am proud to say that I have a doctorate in John Wayne.

In 1972, Wayne played a character in which he mentored schoolboys on a cattle drive in the film The Cowboys. Because of his leadership and example, these boys became men before the end of the cattle drive. They would avenge “The Duke’s” death after he was gunned down in cold blood. This was my favorite John Wayne movie, perhaps because I also was a young boy and I subconsciously knew that I was being mentored through a television screen by the rugged cowboy. Today, I believe I am a better businessman because of it.

If “The Duke” were a businessman in the present day, I assure you that he would:

First and foremost, be honest. This cowboy would never lie to make a sale and neither should you. His resume wouldn’t exaggerate and you could rely on his word.

Be a hard worker. John Wayne would be the first cowboy on his horse preparing for the cattle drive, and he would be the first in your office, spending his time working to the point of exhaustion.

Defend the weak. Whether in Stagecoach, True Grit, The Cowboys or another film, Wayne never took advantage of the weak. Instead, he protected those who couldn’t protect themselves. If he was in your office when a salesperson or professional was struggling, there is no doubt in my mind that he would ride alongside them and offer assistance to make the team better.

Feo, Fuerte y Formal. These were the words that Wayne wanted on his tombstone. They translate to: “He was ugly, strong and had dignity.” He was a physically strong man at 6’4’’. Yet, it was his strength of character that was referred to here. In your business, you would be a magnificent success if others say you have strength of character. This means not giving in when things look bleak. “The Duke” wouldn’t.

Have dignity. This, again, comes from his self-description. Dignity means relying on yourself for your success and abandoning the victim mentality. Wayne would not be a victim if he worked in your office. He would not blame his lack of success on the economy, co-workers or his boss. Instead, with dignity he would take his future into his own hands and rely on no one but himself for his success.

John Wayne was the definition of the word man and would be the definition of the word businessman if he worked in your office today. As a young boy, I watched John Wayne ride off into the sunset on June 11, 1979. Though I was confident one day that I would be a cowboy, I ended up a businessman. Today, I am a better businessman because of John Wayne’s lessons.

Thanks to John Wayne for the life lessons on hard work, honesty, dignity, strength and compassion. With a tip of my hat, I give him a hardy, “Thanks, partner.”

GRATITUDE
“There is no better opportunity to receive more than to be thankful for what you already have. Thanksgiving opens the windows of opportunity for ideas to flow your way.” —Jim Rohn

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others.” —Marcus Cicero

“Develop an ‘attitude of gratitude.’ Say thank you to everyone you meet for everything they do for you.” —Brian Tracy

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” —William Arthur Ward

3. Say Thanks Before It’s Just a Memory by Harvey Mackay
Some time ago the owner of a small but profitable business wrote columnist Ann Landers about his practice of giving annual bonuses to his employees. The amounts were based on time served and salary levels.

He had been doing it for 16 years and in all that time only two employees had ever said “thank you.” Neither were still with the company. One passed away, and the other took early retirement.

The owner vowed that he wasn’t going to give any more bonuses, and if anyone complained, the response would be, “There will be no bonuses this year because not one of our current employees has taken the time and trouble to say ‘thank you.’ “

In her answer, Ann Landers segued from that letter to the tons of letters she receives from others, parents and grandparents particularly, who want to know what to do about gifts that are not acknowledged. What happened? Did the poor thing lose the power of speech or the use of their writing hand? Did they fall off the ends of the earth? Was the gift lost in the mail?

How many times have we sent a birthday check and not heard a word back, the only evidence that the gift was received found among the pile of canceled checks returned from the bank?

How many times have you given a larger than normal tip without any recognition? Waiters and waitresses should realize a larger tip is a signal that a customer enjoyed the experience and wants to return, particularly if their generosity is acknowledged. Diners even have been known to ask for a favorite waitperson’s station.

If you’re a salesperson or own a company and have recently received a larger than expected order from a customer, what have you done to make that customer know how you feel about it? It’s great to take your spouse out to dinner to celebrate your great sales ability, but what about the guy or gal who gave you the order?

A thank you is just good manners. A prompt thank you is easy to say, a lot easier to say than “Gee, I forgot to tell you how much I appreciated your order,” or “How’ve you been after all this time?”

When Rudy Giuliani was mayor of New York City, the police enforced quality-of-life laws and Giuliani even called for New York City’s cabdrivers and waiters to improve their manners, pointing out that rudeness is not a great civic selling point. It seemed to work. Crime went down. Tourism went up. New York City was on a roll.

Many companies wait until the holidays to say thank you. There’s nothing the matter with that, but why wait? It’s a lot more personal and responsive to seize the day and say the magic words the moment it’s appropriate. And forget the stuff with your corporate logo on it as a thank you. It’s fine as advertising. For yourself. But it isn’t a gift.

The best gifts I have ever received have no monetary value but what I call memento value. They are the letters I receive from people who have used tips or advice I’ve given in speeches, columns or books to get jobs, bonuses or unexpected orders. When a 72-year-old woman wrote to thank me for helping her make a dynamic splash in her chosen field, I was on cloud nine for days. And what an upper it was to hear from a man in prison that he’d begun to turn his life around thanks to the inspiration he’d received from one of my books.

One area of thank-you territory that many of us neglect is our formative years. They don’t call them “formative” for nothing. Have you ever said thanks to the teachers and coaches who lifted you up, dusted you off and set you straight when you were trying to figure out what growing up was all about? Though it may have been decades, you would be surprised how many of them remember us and remain our cheerleaders throughout our life. Believe me, a note or even a phone call from you would be well received.