Russ Johnson
Equipment Expert
My Business Magazine, NFIB, Dec / Jan issue:
Business Lessons I've Learned From Dogs
by Harvey King
For most of my 50-plus years, I've lived with dogs. They've played different roles in my life: friend, therapist, surrogate sibling (at times, I think my parent's favorite child was the dog), surrogate child (at times, my children have thought our favorite child was the dog), worker and, more times than I've realized, teacher.
Indeed, by watching and observing, I've learned many business lessons from the canines who have mentored me. Here are just a few:
*Always greet customers with excitement and enthusiasm, even when you just saw them three minutes ago. They never grow tired of thinking they are the most important thing in your life.
*Don't confuse your tail with a goal worth chasing.
*Sleep as many hours a day as possible, but always be ready to play when the chance arises.
*Don't be afraid to get dirty; in fact, relish it.
*When the big folks are feasting, if you know how to work things, you'll be able to feast, too.
*Barking a lot is annoying, so don't do it often. That way, when you do bark, people spring to attention.
*Don't bark at the mailman. He's been known to have a dog treat in his pocket.
*The more you show that you don't need a leash, the less you have to wear it. Conversely, if you're always tugging on your leash, you'll always have to wear it.
*The joy is in digging the hole, not in hiding the bone. But it's also reassuring to know there are a few bones hidden.
*Biting someone never leads to anything good.
*Continuously learning new tricks keeps you young.
*Fool your masters into thinking they are in charge.
Business Lessons I've Learned From Dogs
by Harvey King
For most of my 50-plus years, I've lived with dogs. They've played different roles in my life: friend, therapist, surrogate sibling (at times, I think my parent's favorite child was the dog), surrogate child (at times, my children have thought our favorite child was the dog), worker and, more times than I've realized, teacher.
Indeed, by watching and observing, I've learned many business lessons from the canines who have mentored me. Here are just a few:
*Always greet customers with excitement and enthusiasm, even when you just saw them three minutes ago. They never grow tired of thinking they are the most important thing in your life.
*Don't confuse your tail with a goal worth chasing.
*Sleep as many hours a day as possible, but always be ready to play when the chance arises.
*Don't be afraid to get dirty; in fact, relish it.
*When the big folks are feasting, if you know how to work things, you'll be able to feast, too.
*Barking a lot is annoying, so don't do it often. That way, when you do bark, people spring to attention.
*Don't bark at the mailman. He's been known to have a dog treat in his pocket.
*The more you show that you don't need a leash, the less you have to wear it. Conversely, if you're always tugging on your leash, you'll always have to wear it.
*The joy is in digging the hole, not in hiding the bone. But it's also reassuring to know there are a few bones hidden.
*Biting someone never leads to anything good.
*Continuously learning new tricks keeps you young.
*Fool your masters into thinking they are in charge.
