Manchester Honda excels again

Manchester Honda in Manchester, CT, continues to deliver better than best customer experiences.

Last night at my Rotary club, Manchester Honda made a generous donation to the South Windsor Rotary club auction.

Guess where I am purchasing my next Honda - and telling all my friends about the incredible experiences.

Manchester Honda - Sets the example in customer service

Preparing for a weekend trip with the Boy Scouts, to go ice fishing in New Hampshire, I decided to replace wiper blades on my Honda Odyssey. I figured it would take about 15 minutes and cost about $50. I stopped at an auto parts store and was about to purchase replacement blades, when I remembered that Manchester Honda offer a blade replacement service. (Customer service people have reminded me of this on prior visits to service my Hondas)

I turned around and drove in to Manchester Honda, to confirm their offering for wiper blades. The pleasant surprises started at the door, and only got better. Firstly, I was quoted about $20 to replace the blades, and told it would take about 20 minutes. I suggested an oil change before the long trip this weekend, and was told that the oil life time of 60% doesn't require an oil change now. I can live with this arrangement, and gladly handed over the keys.

Within no time at all the van was returned, with new wiper blades and a complimentary car wash. All of this at no cost, because I am a regular customer. Now, I am a regular and delighted customer.

The reason I am a repeat customer is because Manchester Honda sets the example in customer service. Is there any mystery in this situation? I will keep on taking the time to drive to Manchester Honda as long as they keep on taking care of me. What are you doing to delight your customers today?

**
On a side note. Honda have still not issued a conclusive recall on the fading brake pedal issue on the 2007 Odyssey. It seems that it will take a Toyota scale scandal for Honda to pick up the ball and fix this issue where the brake pedal fades away due to air in the breaking system. I have had my van repaired twice under warranty and still experience this disturbing behavior. Let's hope Honda picks up the pace on this before it causes more accidents. Do a google search to see how many Odyssey drivers have complained about soft and fading brake pedal issue)

Lifelong learning

I just purchased my favorite reward - Latte from Dunkin Donuts.

As I was about to order the Caramel Latte, I saw the seasonal offering "Pumpkin Latte". My wife always encourages us to try new things, so I took a walk on the wild side and bravely ordered the "Pumpkin Latte".

Well!! It sure is a unique taste. I am glad that I tried something new - we all need to be open to new experiences.

The way to continually learn is to take new paths and experiment with new tastes. You are not a lifelong learner if you continue to make the same choices, eat the same food and order the same latte every day.

What can you experience today, that you do not normally experience?

Life Without Limbs. Get up, don't give up.

Take a few minutes to watch this inspirational video clip. Nothing I can say will enhance Nick's message.

The one question you should never ask a bureaucrat

There is one question that you should never ask a bureaucrat. Whether you are standing in line at the DMV and fuming about the paper work, or staring down an electronic "request for service" from a different department in corporate America, never, ever ask this question.

You do not want to hear the answer to this question. The form that you are filling out was created by a bureaucrat. Bureaucrats get up in the morning to craft and fine tune processes, procedures and forms. They stand tall with each new invention, irrespective of the effectiveness it brings.

Never ask a bureaucrat this question: "Could you be more anal?"

You will not like the answer.

How do you know it is a good week?

This week the US Stock market showed signs of improvement. We are heading towards Spring in Connecticut and the worst of the cold is behind us for this year. Life is good in the Botha family.

Yesterday I caught a few sentences of a news broadcast as I walked past the TV. The anchor proclaimed that International stock markets ended the day in positive territory, mortgage rates are steady and, I quote "GM did not need a bailout this week".

Thus, every week that GM doesn't need a bailout, is a good week?

Hanging out the dirty laundry

Here in Connecticut, Governor Rell has announced budget cuts in an attempt to balance the budget. I don't envy this job in this economy. Overall, Jodi Rell has done a good job of leading Connecticut after John Rowland's disgrace and conviction.

With the announced budget cuts, some of the current State government spending is being highlighted. I am sure that some people will be offended about what I write below, but really, "what were they thinking?" is a phrase that comes to mind here. Who thought, and why would you use my tax money to fund any of these initiatives? How long would we continue to have thrown money down these drains if the current economy had not brought Governer Jodi to analyse them, and cut them?

Funding will be cut for the following:
1. The Commission on Aging. That's right, we apparently have State employeess that get paid and hold a seat on the Commission on Aging. What do they do? Get paid to watch people grow old? Get paid to watch each other grow old?
2. The tax credit for making Films in Connecticut. Wow! When last did you see a blockbuster from Connecticut.

I suspect that cutting the budget for these two initiatives will leave me with a feeling "Why didn't we do this a long time ago?"

P.S. I am concerned about the cuts to the Child Advocate's office. I believe that we need Child Advocates, and while we can do without the Commission on Aging, Child Advocates are speaking for the children who can't speak for themselves.

So why do I live in Connecticut again?

We had a messy snow storm yesterday. After the landscaping crew cleared the snow, the remaining moisture froze, creating a solid sheet of ice over the parking lot. You are looking at ice on the road and it is too slippery to walk on without great caution.

After the past few months of cold, snow storms and limited sunlight, I got to wondering why we choose to live in Connecticut and not a more pleasant climate. The jury is still out on this question.

Giving you permission

Many times we wait to get permission before we act. We feel the need for approval before starting a new venture, trying a new speaking technique or crafting a new genre of speech.

However, there is usually no reason to get permission. You don't need permission to try something new. Just because your family, or friends don't give you permission to be yourself and try new experiments, should not deter you.

Today, by the power vested in me as the master of this "Pow'Rful Blog", I hereby give you permission to go out and be the best you can be. Go an explore new worlds in search of great riches - or at least give that speech which is nagging in your head to be spoken.

You have my permission. Go forth and conquer.

You can't fail if you don't try

Why are you afraid of trying something new in your public speaking appearances? Why don't you try to be more expressive with gestures? Why not try a different pace or volume in your vocal variety?

Why don't you write articles for your Toastmasters District newsletter?

Is it because you are afraid to fail? Are you afraid that if you commit to write an article, or use a new gesture then you may mess up? Are you afraid of what the audience will think? Are you afraid that you will let yourself down and not live up to your own expectations?

You are right. You cannot fail if you never try. You can stay in the safety of your current speaking style and remain an anonymous reader of your Toastmasters District newsletter. Why risk failure and ridicule?

No risk, no reward. If you don't try to reach new objectives and take on tasks that make you feel uncomfortable at first, then you will never grow and you will never be more than you are today. The choice is yours.

What is the worst that can happen? In most cases, the worst that can happen is that you mess up and have egg on your face. Big deal. How much egg does a politician have on his face after declaring a war that killed thousands of people, in search of weapons of mass destruction.

You are in a better spot. Take a risk and be willing to fail. Go ahead and try. The only action that is worse than failing, is not trying at all. But beware. Not trying becomes a habit and leads to never gaining significant rewards.

A Fair lesson

Last night my family visited the 116th Annual Wapping Fair in our town of South Windsor. We always watch one performance of the racing pigs and enjoy the bumper cars. I particularly enjoy this fair because it proves once again that we are living our dreams by being able to attend a small town country fair in the USA.

While watching the live country music band, I realized how luck we are as speakers and presenters. I counted 8 microphones, with stands and cables on the stage. Having just purchased a new Samson G-Track Microphone this week, I realize the cost of equipment. During my research, I visited a local music store, and was offered studio quality microphones up to $1,000 and saw electric guitars at $8,000 a piece. Add in speakers, cables and paraphernalia, I recognize the investment that musicians make in equipment in order to give free performances.

As speakers, our investment in equipment is inconsequential compared to a live band. We are lucky. We get by with a portable microphone and recorder. We don't need expensive instruments to perform our craft.

I would have bought a CD on the spot if this band sold products because I enjoyed the entertainment. But alas, no products on sale. And the audience can't buy what you don't sell.

We are expecting downpours this afternoon and I believe the Wapping fair will suffer with slim attendance today.

Fly me to the moon - in 3D

I just enjoyed "Fly me to the moon" in 3 D. The movie was released today and we thoroughly loved the experienced. If you get the chance, and your kids are over 8 years old, then go and enjoy "Fly me to the moon" with your children.

This was my first 3D movie and "Fly me to the moon" in 3D is the first animated movie shot in 3D, so it was an evening of firsts. The story line was OK, the 3D experience was magnificent and the images were educational. I am sure that all the early teenagers in the movie theater today know more about the moon landing than their public school teachers.

We put on the 3D glasses for the movie. Afterwards, we brought the glasses home. I now need to find a way to dispose of them safely. I am too scared to put them on again. If 3D glasses make a movie scene come to life, what happens if you wear 3D glasses in real life? Do you see life in 6D? The thought will give me nightmares until I dispose of the glasses, safely.

I recall studying math in college. In one course we learned how to calculate the area and circumference of a sphere in the 5th and 6th dimension. I enjoyed the class and found it fascinating, and consequently did well. So well in fact, that I was able to always get the correct answer to calculate the area and circumference in n dimensions. That's right. Even in the 21st or 35th dimension, which is mind boggling. And the cool thing is that no-one can prove you wrong. How can anyone prove anything in the 35th dimension, as you can't even imagine 35 dimensions. That was twenty years ago and I still have not found a need to got beyond 3 dimensions.

Anyway, this is a fabulous movie. Enjoy it in 3D. And dispose of the glasses safely afterwards :)

P.S. I wonder how we can get PowerPoint slides in 3D? Wouldn't it be so cool to hand out 3D glasses to your audience for a PowerPoint experience instead of the boring text-laden slides we are exposed to? Let your imagination run wild and envision 3D PowerPoints. Maybe we will be lucky enough to experience this one day?

Humor for the day

Thought you might enjoy this. It gave me a good chuckle.

I am considering applying for a State Pistol Permit. The application form lists the situations that a State Pistol Permit will be refused. As you would expect the form lists the criteria for refusing a Pistol Permit, for example, you have been convicted of "Assault in the Third Degree".

One of the grounds for refusal amuses me. If you have been convicted of "Possession of less than four ounces of marijuana" then you will be refused a pistol permit.

"less than four ounces of marijuana"? Does this mean that Pistol Permit applicants must carry more than four ounces at all times? What if I don't have a use for marijuana?

Have some fun, do some good.

This afternoon I went for a blood test in Hartford. I have been to this one-person staff facility before.

The nurse is in her fifties and always professional, but not talkative. She said politely "Go to the back". I don't understood where "the back" is, so I wondered through the office into what appeared to be the blood extraction chair and sat down.

Today I decided to be extra nice to her just for the fun of it and to see if I could tease some personality out of her. Why not? It is summer, the birds are singing and the A/C's are humming.

I complimented her with "Your office always smells like wildflowers". She thanked me for the compliment and asked me where I came from.

(I get that a lot - you would think I speak funny or something??)

I said "South Africa". Then out of courtesy I asked where she was from. She said Ohio. (I have heard that people in other parts of the US are more friendly than the cold, unmannered zombie clones in Connecticut that I usually deal with).

As she was taping up my almost invisible wound, I asked "Have you noticed that people in these parts are less friendly than Ohio?"

I watched the nurse's demeanor change. Like ignition under a space shuttle she got all fired up. I thought to myself "You fool. I forgot the golden rule. Never ever upset a stout lady with sharp needles in easy reach while she is blocking your exit from the blood extraction chair".

"Oh yes", she says. Then continued. "I used to work at the local hospital and every day I got into the elevator with a strong "Good Morning"". No one answered me. Then one day she said "I know that you can hear me and it would not kill you to answer". She says that folks were able to mumble under their breath the next morning when she greeted them.

After ms.nurse shared this with me, her mouth got into high gear and we had a wonderful conversation. Suddenly we are good friends and sharing stories about Ohio, South Africa and the lack of manners in Connecticut zombies. As I left her office she enthusiastically proclaimed "Thank you Wayne. You made my day. Hope you will be back again soon". (I'll take a rain check on the last part of that)

There you have it. Showing just a bit of interest in someone else can change your whole relationship and help both of you to have a more pleasant day. Even if you get nothing out of being kind, you are still putting positive energy into the universe. Do it just for fun.

P.S. I don't claim all the credit for my actions today. I listened to Joel Osteen's "Become a better you" Audio CD set for the past few weeks on my commute. His messages are influencing my life to share more kindness, be less critical at home and the office and take the high road more often.

I get personal gratification for taking better actions this week. Pick up a CD set of "Become a better you" to also get the benefits of taking better actions. Oh yeah, and if you run into a Connecticuter - Offer a strong "Good Morning" to experience the cold feeling of talking to an unmannered zombie.

The Simple Way to Success, Recycle books

Today I just finished the wonderful book by Larry Winget "The Simple Way to Success". His book is packed with practical, real-life advice to reach success as you define it. Call me a sucker, but I prefer real-life advice from authors who have done it over esoteric theories from "Positive Thinking" gurus who make a lot of money dispensing advice that they themselves do not follow.

I love reading because books have made the difference in my life. We are the sum of the books that we read and the people that we hang out with. There is no way that all of us can have direct access to every person that we want to learn from. However, we can often read books by people that we want to learn from. Therefore, I am a huge advocate for making many books available to people all over the world, and I believe that education is the way to cure world hunger.

Back off my soapbox now, the fact is that a book is "one man's heart in another man's hand". I don't claim originality here - I read this quote somewhere in the mid 1980's.

If you are stuck facing a problem then perhaps you need to read a few more books each month for fresh perspectives and refresh your thinking. Perhaps you will even get the answer in the books that you read. Don't be a statistic when it comes to reading.

I am appalled at the statistics of readership in the USA. Being from South Africa where so many people are illiterate I consider myself privileged to be able to read. I treasure my literacy. When I hear statistics quoted such as 58% of US adults never read another non-fiction book after high-school I just shake my head at the missed opportunities.

Enough said. You get my point. I believe that everyone on this planet should be able to read and have affordable and convenient access to readable material that can help them improve themselves.

Anyway, back to the conflict. My voracious appetite for reading conflicts with my desire to continually grow my personal library. I inherited frugality habits from my paternal grandfather. Oupa worked through the 1930's depression and for the next 50 years would not spend two pennies if he only needed to spend one. Frugality should not be confused with penny-pinchers. I abhor penny-pinchers because penny-pinchers usually also have shrivelled attitudes towards life. Frugalists spend wisely when we spend.

Here is the lesson for you. The conflict of my belief in frugality and my appetite for reading led me to sources of books that are sold as used, but are in perfect condition. I use ABEBOOKS.com and recently discovered that Amazon.com also sells used copies alongside new copies. So far, every used book that I have purchased is in perfect condition and I am totally satisfied. The only caution is that you should watch for is extravagant shipping costs.

You should also consider purchasing used books when you want to grow your library with timeless titles. Used books let you read for less and save the environment as you recycle books.

Memorial Day - 2008

Today is memorial day in the USA. My son and I honored the veterans by marching in the South Windsor memorial day parade with his scout troop.

I fought in the war with the South African Defense Force in 1983 to 1989. My friends here in the USA aren't aware of this regional war and I don't want to recall the details. I spent time on "The Border" of South West Africa and Angola. By grace, I was not physically injured during my tours of duty although sometimes still get chased out of bed in the wee hours by the "demons of the night" born from post traumatic stress.

This is nothing compared to the boys (most soldiers were drafted at 18 and 19 years of age) killed and injured in that war.

Today, in a different continent, we honored the fallen from South Windsor, CT in various wars. My heart goes out to all the injured and their families from all wars, not just our local town. The destruction and heartache is the same, no matter which side is fighting or who wins.

Have you ever wondered ...

Have you ever wondered:

- Why the salesperson at an appliance retail store spends 20 minutes convincing you of the durability and reliability of a major appliance, and then tries to sell you a Service Protection Plan if the appliance should self-destruct on the day after the warranty expires? (Honey, didn't he just say this dishwasher is built to last for 20 years?)

- Why on earth you would want to purchase a Service Protection Plan on an XBOX game, which has no moving parts and is supposedly going to hold the exact same data for 3 gabillion light years.

- Who has the lovely voice in the self-service checkout machine at Home Depot?

- How the artist is chosen to voice my directions in my GPS. "Turn left in 300 feet!". Why does my GPS use a woman's voice? Why my wife's GPS doesn't have a voice that conjures up an image of a Chippendale?

- Why every stock you purchase takes a nose-dive after you purchase it, and for as long as you hold it?

- Why the slowest lane in bumper-to-bumper traffic is the one that you are in?

Painful Pleasures

Winter storm Destiny provided the perfect opportunity for sledding. We have a water catchment valley close to our home where children can sled in absolute safety. My son's snow tube is five feet in diameter and sledding down the one side of the valley across the bottom and up the other side is pure bliss for children.

Of course, I was dragged along as well. We spent numerous hours yesterday and today flying down the sides of the valley and then pulling the tube up to repeat. We built a 12-inch high snow-ramp to get airborne at the bottom of the run.

The result of this fun is a sore body. I am in pain in places that I did not know I had places because I am unaccustomed to such exertions. The pain is worth if for the pleasure that I had with my son, including laughing harder than I have in years when I set the example of how not to dismount an airborne sled.

We have had no good sledding days this winter. It has been cold and very rainy. Winter storm Destiny was our first opportunity for a good snowfall on a weekend, giving us the opportunity to enjoy father-son bonding.

It is only possible to enjoy times like this together if you live in the present. You cannot enjoy times like this when you are concerned with the mounting workload at the office. You need to let go of whatever you cannot change or mistakes that you have made in the past.

How do you live in the present fully, and enjoy every day without a cluttered email inbox and constant interruptions from your cell phone? I find this Alan's advice in this interview to be inspirational and pragmatic. Listen to the full interview and then enjoy the benefits of living in the present, so that you can also take advantage of the painful pleasures when the opportunities present themselves.

2 questions

Today - short and sweet questions.

1. Are you making a presentation, or a paging through a PowerPoint slide show? What is your PowerPoint Presentation style? I see so many presenters merely paging through slides and wish that I could reach into his or her brain to educate them. Your PowerPoint presentation is firstly a presentation and secondly supported with striking visual aids.

2. Valentines day - My family celebrated at a local restaurant chain store. 14 years ago I took my wife-to-be on our second date. Sweltering hot summer evening in Pretoria, driving a 20 year old dented and rusting Chevrolet 3800. If you had told me that one day we would be blissfully married and living in the USA, I would have told you that you had been out in the sun too long. Us live in the USA? We worked in entry level positions in dead-end departments in a South African Government service. I struggled to put petrol in the car let alone buy an airplane ticket. The sun was certainly powerful enough on that day to cause delusions.

Well, here we are in 2008. MBA certifcate hanging on the wall, helping clients all over the world to dramatically increase business presentations through effective PowerPoint Presentations. As Alan Weiss says "Ya never know". You have to try.

You have to try and pursue a higher traditional degree if you need it for your career. (Starting my path towards my MBA through years of part-time study proved to be a wise decision, hence my steadfast belief that everyone needs higher education). If can do it with my checkered academic record, then most certainly can get your next degree as well. But I digress.

If you being tells you to move to a different country to fulfill your destiny, then you have to try. You won't know how successful you can be, unless you try.

What is your being telling you? What is your next step? Are you willing to act despite your fears, self-doubts and the abundance of people around you "advising" you on your foolishness? True, you may fail. But I bet you that you have a greater chance of succeeding if you "burn the boats" and put your mind towards success.

Happy Anniversary

Today is our seventh Anniversary in the USA. We landed after a major snowstorm on Jan 21, 2001 at JFK.

We brought:
- 6 suitcases
- One bag of medicine for my son
- Three backpacks as carry-on luggage
- $400 in cash
- $5,000 of debt to the consulting company that sponsored my H1-B Visa

This was the sum total of our worldly possessions when we landed at JFK to start a fresh live in the USA. No furniture, no cars, no family in the USA.

WOOHOO!! After seven years, my lovely wife and I still agree that coming to the USA was the best decision we could ever have taken. Why are we glad? Because life is good in America today. Click here for my podcast on what is good in America today.

Bottoms up - Here is my toast to a wonderful lifetime in the US of A.
(Remember to drink a soda on my behalf - because I don't drink alcohol)

Now think. What would you bring if you were to leave your home for the chance at a better future in a new country? What would you pack in your suitcases? We brought the essentials - some favorite books, our family photos, and blankets to keep us warm. Little did I know at the time that I also brought stories which I use on the platform to help my audiences thrive in changing times.

What stories are you recording that can help your audiences overcome challenges? Are you capturing your personal photos which will help your audiences in the future?

P.S. Enjoy your family times now. You won't be able to enjoy them if you ever have an ocean between you.

Grateful to be Average

When last did you aim to be "Average"?

Huh?? Average? Aren't we all trying to -
"Raise the bar"?
"Do more with less"?
"Have zero defects"?
"Have breakthrough relationships"?
"Be first or second in our market, or get out"?

I am very proud of my son. He brought home a great report card last week and made The Honor Roll. This is a big deal because my son is a victim of our local "school" system and is now attending a private school (Ben Bronz Academy) where the wonderful teachers and staff have sensible strategies. (I will skip the "Public School System versus LD Students" Soap Box tonight)

My son is blossoming into a fine young man that will burst any father's proud chest.

Years ago - maybe decades ago, I saw a vivid and touching scene in a movie. An American high-school boy (let's call him Sonny) comes home from school and complains that he is so "Average". His parents live in a suburban house, drive an "Average" sedan, his parents work at "Average" white collar jobs. Sonny is frustrated because his school is hosting an exchange student. The exchange student (a girl) is a talented musician. She is the same age as Sonny. Parents, music teachers and audiences are showering her with attention and praise. Sonny complains bitterly to his Dad and throws tantrums about being "Average". Sonny also wants to be "Special" like the exchange student.

Sonny's Dad puts up with it for awhile then loses his patience. We cut to a scene in a slum. Boarded up storefronts, abandoned cars and graffiti convey depression and hopelessness. Sonny and his Dad walk down the street and Dad explains that this is where he grew up. Dad wished, visualized and generally worked his butt off to get an education, get a white collared job and have a mortgage on a house in suburbia. In short, Dad's dream is to be "Average" and although he appreciated the talented musician, Dad was content to have achieved his status. Dad was also proud that Sonny was in an "Average" school and had a better shot at life than Dad did.

Let's bring all of this together. By pulling off some risky challenges over the past 24 years with the grace of God, I have managed to get a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Information Systems from UNISA and an MBA from an American University. When I left high school at 17 years old with no job and without a hint of possibility of getting a college education, fate seemed to have selected me to always be a financially challenged blue-collar worker. In 1982 I had no income, no car and lived in South Africa. We now live in Connecticut. My son is an Honor Roll Student and Above "Average" in this Land of Opportunity.

Thanks Sonny, I still remember the lesson that your Dad taught me through a movie scene, decades ago. Being "Average" depends on your perspective, and for some of us, all we could ask for in one lifetime is to be an "Average" American. I am grateful to be "Average"

Perceptions

Today it was 51 Degrees Fahrenheit. This is 10.6 Celsius. 7 years ago, in South Africa, I would have considered it a very cold day. Now, as the leaves usher in a New England Fall, it is a refreshingly mild temperature after the humidity of the past few weeks.

Perceptions - they change depending on your frame of reference.

What perceptions have changed for you in the last seven years?

Being Patiently Imperfect

I realized that we should all be patiently imperfect when learning a new skill. I just spent about 4 hours creating my first Podcast which is a 6 minutes and 11 minutes long. Why would I invest this much time in creating such a short Podcast? Because I know that the first time we do anything it takes forever, and the final result is not perfect. But the only way we can reach perfection, and have a second try, is by being willing to fail and be imperfect on the first try.

It is necessary to be imperfect at first. I tend to be impatient with the first try, and am working on being Patiently Imperfect.

How often are you Patiently Imperfect? Are you willing to fail, in your attempts to succeed? Are you willing to have a first try, so that you can have the second success?