Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Happy pens, no secret and out of context

- Waiting for a client in front of a reception desk that holds a vase and these flower pens. At first I thought they were just artificial flowers, but then the friendly young man behind the desk, who was writing with one of them, affected an extra deep voice and said, "Uhh - this isn't my pen, by the way." :)

- An employee who used to work in printing wonders how I could have possibly gotten the account of this large technical school, since she had tried and tried and never could get it. I make it sound like a big secret, but really it was from finding the right person and then asking nicely if I could come by.

- Finding my neighbor's smiling face behind a glass window at the registrar's office. We both laugh at seeing each other out of context.

13 comments:

Fireblossom said...

Got to love a flower pen, even if it, um, threatens some people's masculinity LOL.

Catch more bees with honey than with vinegar, they say!

Yes, I sometimes run into my customers in the grocery store or somplace. It's weird!

G. B. Miller said...

Sometimes all you really need to do is just ask.

I've been fortunate (because there is still a major stigma attached to my particular agency) enough not to run into any of my co-workers out in the real world. While I value their comraderie at work, I really don't want to meet them outside of work.

Granny Annie said...

I have seriously considered putting flowers on our pens at home. They disappear like candy.

It is amazing how many people in sales forget the biggest part and that is asking for the business.

TALON said...

I think the flower pens probably guarantee they stay put! lol!

It's nice to know it's not always about who you know - sometimes it's about who you are :)

Ileana said...

It's amazing how many doors a polite (and smart!) person can open. Good for you!!

We lose pens all the time...festive flowers on the ends might keep them around longer!

Funny when we see people out of context. Sometimes we can't place them for a while, and that can be funny...and a little frustrating.

Jannie Funster said...

Artificial daisies and bluebonnets are very popular here in Austin on pens. Makes me think real flowers taped to guestbook pens would be a nice touch.

The middle one about finding the right person and asking nicely reminds me what an awesome person you are!!

The last one reminds me how we Jazzercisers would greet each in other spheres with "Oh - I didn't recognize you with your clothes on!" :0 You being an exerciser, probably can relate?

Thank you for these lovely thoughts and inspirations today!

xoxo

Maude Lynn said...

It always throws me for a minute when I see someone out of context.

Riot Kitty said...

Well good for you on that account! I would have said, "Because I rule, that's why!"

desk49 said...

Pens he denies or flowers which one
a deep voice doesn’t change, how you are son
A hard sale to get, but it’ll come easy you see
if you find the right person, and be nice as can be
out of context now this one I don’t know
if I saw a neighbor I’d just say hello
but if they were behind glass I’d ask
how long are you in for.

Lynn said...

Fireblossom -

I love that expression - you can catch more bees with honey than vinegar. I have found that to be true - and woman looked as if she was full of vinegar. Not to mention that she has a great job now.

G -

My neighbor and I both laughed because of the expression on her face - what are YOU doing HERE? :)

Granny Annie -

You just have to ask and not in a salesy kind of way.

Talon -

Yes - I suspect that is the reason they put the flowers on the pens - so they wouldn't walk off.

And I like that thought!

Ily -

My boss keeps having me come up with sales scripts and I do it, but never use them. :)

Jannie -

Thank you for always coming by. I love to see you and all my friends here.

xo

Mama Zen -

Same here.

Riot Kitty -

I rule! I am going to remember that. :)

Ellis -

I LOVE that last line - "how long are you in for." lol!!!

Snaggle Tooth said...

I guess some Manly-Men wouldn't be caught using a flower pen! I bet you win over many clients with your kindness. I bet you weren't pushy, either... Great bumping into neighbors where you'd least expect them- I tend to see folks while shopping.

Anonymous said...

Want a flower pen vase for my sweetheart now. Thanks for the great idea, Lynn! ;)

Lynn said...

Snaggle -

It is a frustration for the owner of this company that I am not pushy, but I can't do that. Yes - kindness is the way to go.

Tony -

I'll bet Cassy would love that. I hope you'll take a picture and blog about that.