Once Told, They're Gold - Softcover

Armstrong, David M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0964802724 ISBN 13: 9780964802728

Publisher: Armstrong International, 1998

Synopsis

Where does David Armstrong find his stories? In the same places he suggests you look for yours - along the halls of your offices and factories. In the eyes and on the faces of the employees who come through your front door everyday. According to Armstrong, "thar's gold in them thar stories." Look between the lines for lessons. Delve into employees' memories and ask about the simple objects that adorn their offices and work stations. Every company has a rich heritage of stories that can innovate, lead, inspire, motivate and solve problems. David Armstrong is simply putting his company's treasures to work. Without an audience, stories lack life and meaning. Once Told, They're Gold - enriching and enlivening the workplace for generations of newcomers.

About this title

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

Crayola® Crayons - This story begins with your first visit to Armstrong International, Inc., Michigan. As you walk through the double doors and enter the lobby, you approach the reception desk. "Would you please sign in," asks the receptionist. Looking down, you find the register, but can't find a pen. "Could I have a pen please?" "Isn't there one there?" "No, I don't see one." The receptionist looks up. "It's right there," as she points to the Crayola® Crayon. "You're not serious? You don't really expect me to sign in with a crayon, do you?" She smiles. You pick up the red Crayola® Crayon and begin to write. "I can't write with this. It's not sharp!" "There's a crayon sharpener by the register." "So there is," you reply. "When I was a child I had a whole box full of Crayola® Crayons. Red was never my favorite color. I wish you had another color." The receptionist reaches into her desk and pulls out a large box of Crayola® Crayons. "Here you go. I think this box covers just about any color you can imagine." "Wow! You people have thought of everything!" You grab a blue crayon and write your name in the register. After finishing you say, "Why do you make your visitors use crayons?" "Let me tell you why David Armstrong has visitors using crayons...."

Don't take yourself too seriously - have fun, be fun, make fun.

The Moral of This Story 1. Crayola® Crayons set the mood. Imagine yourself as this visitor. The first impression you have of Armstrong is that we are alive - not boring. We have spirit. We are a fun place to work. We are creative. Anything is possible! 2. Crayola® Crayons allow Armstrong to use the five senses to create the mood. The sense of touch. A Crayola( Crayon simply feels different than a pen. It writes differently. The smell of a crayon is different than ink. Don't believe me? Open a box and take a sniff. Crayons and pens surely look different, hence we use the sense of sight. Have you ever heard the sound of a pen writing on a register? It sounds different than a crayon, doesn't it? And finally, (using my childhood memories) I believe a crayon tastes different than ink. All right, so I tasted one as I wrote this story. All of your senses say, Wow! I must have just walked into the world of Armstrong International. They are unique! 3. Does anybody really review a register? Maybe you use the names to send Christmas cards. I'm sure sales people look to see if their competition has visited Armstrong. I can't think of any other good reasons to use the register except to know who has checked in and checked out of the factory, and I doubt we do that. So who cares if we can't read your name or your address clearly because you wrote with a crayon? I'm more interested in creating the atmosphere, creating a state of mind, marking Armstrong's turf, and preparing you for our culture before you talk with our Armstrongers. Crayola® is a registered trademark of Binney & Smith.

Review:

Excellent ideas and procedures to follow for a successful business based around employees - the real secret to success. -- Training Customers, 2003

About this edition

• Publisher: Armstrong International
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0964802724
• ISBN 13: 9780964802728
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 303