PPB June 2020

I ndiana winters can be pretty chilly, and this particular morning was no exception. Had I not agreed to meet a friend for an early breakfast, I would have stayed in and stayed warm; but then I would have missed meeting Ron, an electrician who taught me that you don’t have to stay in your own special lane to be of value to someone else, especially if you are willing to go the extra mile for them. Business Is Out There— If You Know Where To Look Get your customer conversations going again, and not just about business. by Dave Ribble I had driven just a mile or two toward town when the “check engine” idiot light came on, a perfect metaphor for how inept I felt after discovering it. I drove another mile or so, hoping it was only something minor, but could not ignore that the car was starting to overheat. I headed straight for my local gas station where my mechanic worked, but the sign said they wouldn’t be open for business for another hour and a half. My heart started to race. Driving down several more streets, I looked for any open business that could help me, even if just to call my dad. This was before cell phones; I needed a landline. Suddenly, I spotted a small electrical supply store. The lights were on! I pulled in, turned off the car, said a prayer and walked up the ramp to the door. It was locked. I peered through the window and caught 70 | JUNE 2020 | THINK