The book, “The Fred Factor”, by Mark Sanborn is a tiny gem of a book that is a relatively easy read. It is less than a 100 pages. Most people can read it in one sitting. It would be a good idea to read it slowly and ingest the wisdom of becoming a “Fred” in your life.
Fred is in reference to the author’s mailman who gives extraordinary service to his customers (those in his mail route). He works as a mail carrier for the postal service. He looks at people who are part of his mail route as customers. This is the “Fred Factor”. This difference in attitude enables and empowers him to rise above most other mail carriers. He does not look at his job as to just deliver the mail. He looks at this job as servicing customers.
Personally, I have not met a mail carrier who had this Fred Factor. But, I have met regular workers at hotels who have exercised and practiced this Fred Factor by giving exemplary service such as giving great room service with flowers. They go beyond what is expected.
It does not matter what your job or title is. It matters on how well you do that job. What does “how well you do that job”? For most people, it means to do enough to get by. But, for those “Freds,’ it means to do more than what is expected. You do not have to be in business to have customers. You can work for any employer and act as though everyone you interact with are your customers. When you have customers, you treat your co-workers with respect and reverence since you expect them to interact with you again.
We all will make a difference in someone’s life. It will either be a positive or negative difference. That is the main question about what kind of difference we can make. This leads into relationships. All interaction is built on relationships. This is what makes business great. The humanity and personal touch and not just the business. When we practice this “Fred Factor”, we create value for others. This is a great principle to practice to go against your competition.
The book, “The Fred Factor”, is about re-inventing how you interact with people. It does not matter on your position, your job, your address, your industry, etc. It matters that you give the “Fred Factor” to go beyond what is expected.
Book Review - The Fred Factor: Every Person's Guide to Making the Ordinary Extraordinary
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