Why Can't You Shake My Paint?
I find it interesting when people create certain policies for their business that dictate how they deal with their customers. For example, my sister-in-law owns a hardware store where we grew up. She carries a high quality paint and for the most part, it is the only paint we use.
We buy most of our painting supplies at the Lowes near our home in Spring Hill Tennessee along with many other items during the year. We assumed that based on our customer loyalty and the fact that we were buying a large number of other items, asking them to shake a can of paint would not be unreasonable.
I was wrong. I was told immediately that they could not shake paint that we did not buy from them. I explained my situation and was told that this was their policy. I immediately advised Lesa and we promptly left the store.
Some of you may disagree with my thought process and argue that it is their right to create their own policies and deal with their customers any way they want. I would agree with you. However, these types of policies lend themselves to a scarcity versus abundance mentality.
I recently heard Dan Miller speak on his 48 Days podcast about the flaw in a scarcity mentality. Dan reminded me of Stephen R. Covey’swords from The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People:
“Most people are deeply scripted in what I call the Scarcity Mentality. They see life as having only so much, as though there were only one pie out there. And if someone were to get a big piece of the pie, it would mean less for everybody else.
The Scarcity Mentality is the zero-sum paradigm of life. People with a Scarcity Mentality have a very difficult time sharing recognition and credit, power or profit – even with those who help in the production. They also have a very hard time being genuinely happy for the success of other people.
The Abundance Mentality, on the other hand, flows out of a deep inner sense of personal worth and security. It is the paradigm that there is plenty out there and enough to spare for everybody. It results in sharing of prestige, of recognition, of profits, of decision making. It opens possibilities, options, alternatives, and creativity.”
Lowes does not have to put a sign reading, “We will shake anyone’s paint!” However, if they made an effort to say yes to a customer’s needs whenever possible, they would create an open, welcoming atmosphere, they would open the door to new sales opportunities and unparalleled customer loyalty.
What would change about your business and life if you adopted an abundance mentality?
Have a great week!
Pierce
