Blog Entry: Start date June 20, 2009

I promised to do this last week on Twitter. So here it goes.

I went to NYC with my youngest daughter last week. We had a blast even though the recession had us on the economy plan this year. But here are some observations about the trip and life in general: 

1. The recession has caused people to be more thankful for their jobs. Every person in the service industry we encountered was cheerful, attentive and had a smile on their face. If your employees aren't the same way, find some more. One of my major mantras in life is if a job is worth doing, it's worth doing well. The recession must be jogging some memories out there, because I'm running into a lot more people who are doing their jobs well. 
2. There is one notable exception: The airline industry. What is up with these folks? They are absolutely NEVER happy (except Jet Blue and Southwest who either don't fly enough or don't fly at all out of Richmond for me to use them more often). Frankly I'm sick of their sour attitudes. I fly all the time, and I don't care what a mess their industry is in - if the guy who runs me up to the top of Rockefeller Center in an elevator can enjoy his job and put a smile on my face, they should be able to, as well. I extend my parent's advice to them: You have a job. Others do not. Be glad you do and since you are doing it, do it well. If you hate it that much, you should quit and find something else to do. If you won't quit because you can't make the same money elsewhere, your company should fire you for NOT DOING YOUR JOB WELL.
3. Lastly, I had the best time with my daughter. I was reminded of a line from the Parent Trap movie when the girls switch places and the American twin hugs her British grandfather for the first time. As she closes her eyes and hugs him tightly, she says: "I'm making a memory." And that's exactly what Kerry and I did all weekend long. It was worth every penny we spent. 

So here's where I tie it all together: Your life isn't that much different from your job. If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well. So put the recession aside today and go do your life well, make some memories and put a smile on the faces of the people around you!

Question of the week: Let's give some suggestions to the airlines. Imagine you are the CEO of a company called My Airline. What would you do to make sure your employees were happy at work and demonstrated that happiness in the service they provide to your customers?