Saturday, April 7, 2012

Early bird


Sometimes, being late can cost you more than your professional image... 

the priest and the politician story 

After twenty-five years in the same parish, Father O'Shaunessey was saying his farewells at his retirement dinner. An eminent member of the congregation - a leading politician - had been asked to make a presentation and a short speech, but was late arriving.
So the priest took it upon himself to fill the time, and stood up to the microphone:
"I remember the first confession I heard here twenty-five years ago and it worried me as to what sort of place I'd come to... That first confession remains the worst I've ever heard. The chap confessed that he'd stolen a TV set from a neighbour and lied to the police when questioned, successfully blaming it on a local scallywag. He said that he'd stolen money from his parents and from his employer; that he'd had affairs with several of his friends' wives; that he'd taken hard drugs, and had slept with his sister and given her VD. You can imagine what I thought... However I'm pleased to say that as the days passed I soon realised that this sad fellow was a frightful exception and that this parish was indeed a wonderful place full of kind and decent people..."
At this point the politician arrived and apologised for being late, and keen to take the stage, he immediately stepped up to the microphone and pulled his speech from his pocket:
"I'll always remember when Father O'Shaunessey first came to our parish," said the politician, "In fact, I'm pretty certain that I was the first person in the parish that he heard in confession.."
(Ack Stephen Hart)

Just a funny story I found online. However, in business, you never want to be late. Always show up at least 10 minutes early.

The Boss Lady




Sunday, May 15, 2011

Even on Groggy Days

On this rainy, grey, Sunday afternoon when most people are relaxing, I'm working. I believe in taking care of business with a great big smile on my face. I try to stay positive no matter how things look....


A landscape gardener ran a business that had been in the family for two or three generations. The staff were happy, and customers loved to visit the store, or to have the staff work on their gardens or make deliveries - anything from bedding plants to ride-on mowers.

For as long as anyone could remember, the current owner and previous generations of owners were extremely positive happy people.

Most folk assumed it was because they ran a successful business.

In fact it was the other way around...

A tradition in the business was that the owner always wore a big lapel badge, saying Business Is Great!

The business was indeed generally great, although it went through tough times like any other. What never changed however was the owner's attitude, and the badge saying "Business Is Great!"

Everyone who saw the badge for the first time invariably asked, "What's so great about business?" Sometimes people would also comment that their own business was miserable, or even that they personally were miserable or stressed.

Anyhow, the Business Is Great! badge always tended to start a conversation, which typically involved the owner talking about lots of positive aspects of business and work, for example:


  • the pleasure of meeting and talking with different people every day


  • *   the reward that comes from helping staff take on new challenges and experiences

    Saturday, May 14, 2011

    The two most beautiful words in the English language are 'check enclosed'
                                                                                                                    Dorothy Parker



    Being self employed has its ups and downs but for those of us who maintain an income from it, we wouldn't have any other way! I decided to start this blog because so many people think I have something important to say about business. So on the advice of those people....here I go.

    Now first things first, as any good entreprenuer would, I've mulled this decision over and over before I jumped at it. Of course my first thought was, how can I make some money at this? (notice the ads to come) Secondly, I agree! I do have something important to say! Somethings you may not agree with but, you will get a laugh if nothing else.

    Those of you who are not self-employed and wonder makes us tick. I mean what really does go thru the mind of an entreprenuer. Well I invite you into our world. Sit back, hold on and read this....

    What is Two and Two?
    A business man was interviewing applicants for the position of divisional manager. He devised a test to select the most suitable person for the job. He asked each applicant, "What is two and two?"

    The first interviewee was a journalist. His answer was "Twenty-two."

    The second applicant was an engineer. He pulled out a slide rule and showed the answer to be between 3.999 and 4.001.

    The next person was a lawyer. He stated that in the case of Jenkins v Brown, two and two was proven to be four.

    The last applicant was an accountant. The business man asked him, "How much is two and two?" The accountant got up from his chair, went over to the door and closed it then came back and sat down. He leaned across the desk and said in a low voice..."How much do you want it to be?"

    He got the job.


    Hope you enjoyed!


    The Boss Lady