One of the best things about co-authoring a book entitled The Go-Giver is that John and I constantly receive stories from people about Go-Givers they either know personally or have learned about. Such is the case with our friend and “Personal Walking Ambassador” Becci Hall, who sent us a link to a great story written by reporter Jared Strong that appeared in the Des Moines, IA newspaper, The Register. (Unfortunately the link to the story can only be accessed through membership to their site.)
Apparently, the Anderson family, which includes a father and two sons, bought a dry-cleaning store so they could do something together as a family. Looking for ways to promote their new enterprise, Crown Cleaners, they asked themselves how they could provide immense value above and beyond simply doing a good job . . . dry-cleaning clothes. Here’s what they came up with:
They randomly refunded dry cleaning bills for customers who promised to do an act of kindness with the money for those less fortunate within their community.
Yep. Simple as that. And, some of the patrons have done some very creative things, adding significant value to the lives of others greatly in need.
While it was promotion, it was also something totally in alignment with the Anderson Family values.
Business is great. Even in today’s business climate, the Andersons are expanding their operation with more stores.
Pretty cool. Gotta’ love them Go-Givers. 🙂
What a great story – Thanks!
Thank YOU,David!
Bob, your little book has had a great revolutionary impact in the lives of myself and my colleagues. We have formed a partnership called Level 7 Partners, that is focused on providing high value strategic consulting services to companies that are at an inflection point (inflecting up or down). The clients we spend time with are often guarded at first but eventually see our sincerity and genuine desire to help them succeed. And occasionally it is better for them to leverage another firm’s strengths or connections. We have made it a mission for our firm to always listen to the real needs in front of us, and respond in ways that help the client in a holistic fashion. Sometimes this means speaking hard truths to them. Sometimes it means making sure that they are involving their spouses in a signficant decision. And other times is means being an advocate for a management team to a board of directors, enabling them to kick start progress, and walk away from lack of trust. But at the end of the day, we believe, it is ALWAYS about relationships.
Since one of my fellow Managing Partners, Mike Anderson suggested we read your book, we have had a wonderful time using it as a touchstone for conversation. In a recent business meeting, I met a very talented Sales and Marketing expert and blogger for a Dun & Bradstreet property, TJ McCue, and while talking over his opportunities, the pages of your book were leaping out of my head to try to get into TJ’s world. The conversation went well; TJ went out that day and picked up the book, and decided to blog about his experience (here: https://www.allbusiness.com/marketing-advertising/marketing-advertising/11736187-1.html).
Since then, the laws of giving in the book resonate daily and inform my (and our) interactions. It is truly a wonderful way to live in business. I genuinely am looking forward to the butterfly effect of good that the story is going to have.
My best to you both.
Brett Eddy, Managing Partner
Level 7 Partners
Hi Brett,
Thank you for your incredibly kind feedback. John and I take those kind of compliments very seriously and they mean a LOT to us.
It’s obvious that you and your associates have really grasped the message and are adding significant value to the lives of many. I’m totally fired up about it.
Please give our thanks and regards to Mike and TJ, as well.
Best,
Bob
Your book and site have come as a total surprise to me. I was disabled by the negligence of a real estate agent and her wicked sister. They hired an attorney and I now have an alleged injury and we were just storing our belongings in the mobile home from “the seventh level of hell” they rented to us. I’ve had to file for disability because the sister that owned the property didn’t carry liability insurance and no attorney will represent me. But I remember what it was like a very long time ago growing up in the world you write about.
I grew up in a family owned dry cleaning business in a “tiny little” rural Ohio town like the thousands of other “tiny little” rural towns which populate the American landscape.
When my father grew ill with Parkinson’s disease, he often forgot to lock the door on the shop or take the money out of the drawer. I’d go to the shop after school and find a pile of money on the counter from a customer who had found their own clothes, paid for them, and left a note asking if my dad was okay?
My father never had a marketing plan, never lived to enjoy the benefits of social networking. But his kindness and honesty, fairness to everyone in the community, and hard work were a treasure to the “tiny little” town. He became the School Board President, and taught Sunday School, and saw to it that forty or so kids in the marching band always looked good on Friday night – especially at away-games.
The last year has taught me that the honest and moral men like my father are gone. Replaced by card carrying MBA’s that wouldn’t dream of having to clean someone else’s clothes. They are protected by lawyers and their monthly-breakfast-meeting-at-the-church-basement politcal cronies and their equally devoted staff.
After reading from your website, I’m amazed that there are any people left that understand that “kindness” isn’t a random act. That “profit” isn’t generated by stealing from your customers.
It’s like digging out after a nuclear storm and finding out that there are surviors (and not the kind you find on reality TV). I hope one of them is reading your book!
be blessed in all you do,
julia
julia ward – a writer’s blog – http://www.ablindingheart.com
Hi Julia,
Thank you for writing. I’m very sorry to hear about this very troubling and challenging situation you and your sister are going through with the real estate agent. It’s extremely unfortunate. It’s also not necessarily typical. The world is filled with all types of people, many good, many not-so-good (hey, and some downright nasty). To say otherwise would certainly not be truthful. Yet, to focus on the bad also brings much more of it into existence.
I love how you spoke of your father. He was obviously a great man, and it’s easy to see how and why he was loved by so many.
Where you say:
… I must respectfully disagree. The fact is, there are still many, many honest men and women. They are not only located in the world of The Go-Giver story, as you implied in your note. In fact, we based those characters and the story itself on the many people John David Mann and I have worked for and with throughout our respective lives and business careers.
And we meet more and more of them every day.
I say this to you not to argue or to be disagreeable. My heart goes out to you for what you’re feeling right now in terms of the dishonest people you feel you are coming across. I just want to encourage you to “not base all on the few” . . . and it is relatively few compared to those who basically live an honest life and just try to do good.
I wish you the very best of success,
Bob
I found the text to be exciting and entertaining. I really connected with Joe, being that I am in marketing also. I could empathize with the end of production period deadlines, strong desires to close the big ones, the competitive advantages of an effective network and the pressures of wanting to personally succeed. I was so moved by the story of Joe and the simplicity yet effectiveness of the Five Laws of Stratospheric Success, that I copied page 129 and positioned it on my Franklin/Covey day timer to be reviewed at the start of each work day.
Hi Larry,
Thank you. I really appreciate your kind owrds about the book,
Regarding The Five Laws,we also have those available on the website by going to https://www.thegogiver.com/buzz-giveaways.php.
We invite everyone to go to that page, download them, print them out, and keep in front of you.
Thanks again!
Bob
Hi Bob,
You guys are AMAZING!
Yes, I’m having a problem connecting to the Law of Attraction principle right now. Have to admit I’m over-the-edge depressed – and pretty darn cranky.
There are wonderful, honest, GoGivers out there.
I’ll just keep reading and hope your karma rubs off on me!
blessings,
julia
julia ward – a BLINDING heart – a writer’s blog – http://www.ablindingheart.com
Thank you, Julia. I wish only the best for you, and hope you’ll keep in touch and let all of know how things are going for you. I have a feeling that much is in the process of changing for you right now and that 2009 is going to be your best year yet!
Best regards,
Bob
It was a great story and it does not surprise me the results of this family’s idea because I have seen that when you give more to the community, your family or friends, there is not doubt you wil get more in return. However, we should do things without expecting anything in return. People, including me, sometimes tend to forget to give back to the community maybe because we are so busy with other things or simply because we are selfish. But, we need to remember that it is better to give that receive.
This is a good reminder that theory does in fact make it into reality. As I read the book, I admit I was somewhat skeptical it had any real application. These kind of stories need to be told to reinforce the concepts and principles in the book.
“The Go-Giver” is a book every business person should read if possible, but we can begin by having our staff or volunteer groups read it. We can perhaps introduce “The Go-Giver” to our colleagues or anyone who wants to succeed. I think it would be great to see how this book can change the environment in our offices, teams or place of employment.
The concept of “Servant Leadership” falls in line with the second law (Law of Compensation). This was another reminder for me to serve people. I find that I am fulfilled in my work when I serve. The compensation will take care of itself.
The Anderson Family took ahold of the concept of giving and were able to influence and teach the community how to give, as well. I’ve never heard of a company compensate their customers based on their volunteerism in the community. This is a brilliant idea. This idea was a great marketing strategy.
I think it would be good to read “The Go-Giver” at the start of every year, no matter what our profession is. This will help us remember to keep our ambitions and goals in perspective. We need more books like this in our competitive society. Especially, with our weak economy. Bob Burg and John David Mann wrote a great book which is easy to read, not too long, but very poignant.
Wow – Juan, thank you for your kind endorsement. I’ve been away for a bit so just now catching up on some of the comments and enjoying them all very much. Juan, words such as yours really mean a lot and provides us great encouragement which (in following the 5th Law) . . . will be gratefully received. 🙂
Richard, thank you. Absolutely, it works. John and I wrote this book based on the many people we know (including ourselves) who live by these principles. I’m afraid the stories simply aren’t reported as often because they don’t “sell” as well. 🙂 Fortunately, there are many good books out there that have these types of examples. And, as you said, people such as the Andersons and their actions really reinforces the message.
Diana, I love your obvious great and giving heart. If I may comment on what you said . . .
“we need to remember that it is better to give that receive.”
In the book, John and I try and make the point that it really isn’t that one is necessarily better than the other as much as both are a natural part of the process. Remember, every giving is made possible because it’s also a receiving.
There is a time to give and a time to receive. As John says (and I’m praraphrasing very, very loosely here), to focus on one while trying to minimize the other not only is an exercise in futility (like trying to only breathe out without also breathing in) but shuts down the flow of abundance. So, may I suggest that you keep giving . . . and keep being open and willing to receive. 🙂