If you haven’t already seen it. Watch our short movie on The Simple Truths of Service. It will change the way you think about customer service. I got this e-mail from a reader yesterday. They’ve got their own "Johnny" who keeps people coming back to their store. Who’s your Johnny?
I was inspired to write to Simple Truths after a friend sent me the story of "Johnny the Bagger." We too at Country Mart, where I work as a night manager, have our own Johnny the bagger. His name is Kenneth (some call him slow), but I call him a drop of sunshine.
Kenneth work as a bagger, carry out, and stocker, and just warms customers hearts with his innocence and caring ways. He greets each customer with "And How are You today?" Then he proceeds to tell them what he is up to lately, never knowing a stranger or failing to greet each and everyone the same.
Kenneth has been working at our store for quite some time and the customers know him. They choose the line he is bagging for and ask where he is if they don’t see him. He always greets them with his warm smile and great attitude!
I personally call him my sweety! He has even come back to the store at night when I am closing up to check to see if I need a ride home from work.That is just Kenneth, always concerned with others and their needs! Some people tease him and know Kenneth can be very gulible. Sometimes they try to play tricks on him, but he comes to me and asks me if what they said to him is true. His comment is always "Oh Really!"
Kenneth warms my heart and makes my day. We all need to have more Kenneth’s (or Johnny’s) in our daily lives. Few people have the caring ways that Kenneth has. We need to remember the simple things in life are the most important.
So next time you enter the check out line at your local grocery store, remember Kenneth and think, "How are you today!" and smile.
Eileen Weathermon, Country Mart Grocery Store, Savannah, Missouri
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
When I watched your movie story about:
“Johnny The Bagger” – It touched me deeply.
I was surprised that there does not seem to be any comments about it. The message was very inspiring. I have seen a special kind of something, that is unique in people with “Downs Syndrome” basically they are dis-inhibited in showing their real emotions which often times is kind of very loving. I was very impressed.
I thought it was a very moving story! It just goes to show that anyone can make a difference in the lives of other people! Johnny should be an inspiration to everyone.
the Johnny the bagger story is even integrated in our training modules! because it was such an inspiring story, especially in our retail business, may johnny’s story inspire many souls.
I post the link to Johnny the Bagger in every Career Development class I teach. I’ve seen it 40 times and it still brings a tear to my each time I see it. It carries a valuable life lesson for our students at Herzing College that I hope they carry it into their careers.