What I Learned about Marketing from Employees at a Chinese Restaurant

When faced with a blank piece of paper I am at once elated and secondly I am terrified.

Elated because I have an opportunity to write down my thoughts, ideas and feelings as well as being excited and hopeful that my words will inform or uplift or perhaps inspire the reader. 

Terrified, because I know my written words might be judged or interpreted, perhaps incorrectly, and my words and/or I will be viewed negatively

So why do I write?

Mainly because I believe that I have something to say and something to give back to my community. 

So here’s a story I want to share with you. 

Yesterday was my birthday and as I hung another year on the line, I had the opportunity to share it with some dear friends; friends that I have known practically my whole life. 

As I was sitting in this wonderful Chinese restaurant, I took a moment to bask in the warmth of their friendship as they toasted me, told stories of our past adventures and regaled me with things I did long ago, mainly forgotten by me, but certainly not by them! The laughter bubbled over.  How happy was I.

Even the wait staff and owner of the restaurant joined in, visited our table to wish me a Happy Birthday and offered to buy us a round of drinks which we gladly accepted.

The waiter brought extra fortune cookies, orange slices, gave me a free (green tea) ice cream with a candle in it and sang a happy birthday song. I appreciated the gesture, but the flavor of the ice cream?  “Not so much.” 

Our waiter, Eddie, was a special guy, who kept coming back to the table and telling me birthday jokes and making us all laugh.  I don’t think he HAD to do this, but he just did it because he wanted to and I guess it made him feel good.  I know it made me feel good.  He was just that kind of a person.  I don’t think anyone trained him to do what he did.  The owner had hired “right.”

Because of these folks, the wait staff, the chef, the owner and all of the employees who spontaneously displayed their best wishes to me for a happy birthday, I felt special and extra happy.  And the food was great too!

Is your bowling center or FEC giving off these kinds of “happy vibes” to kids, parents and adults who are having birthday parties?

I hope so because I know how much it means. It means the world.

And one commercial: If you’re ever in Bethesda, MD, please visit MEI WAH restaurant.  You won’t be disappointed.

About Fred Kaplowitz
Marketing is in my DNA. I love to solve problems and meet challenges head on and I have successfully produced results for hundreds of clients. I love what I do and love helping to make my clients more successful and happier. I am a husband and father, consultant, a coach, a teacher, a motivator, a copy- writer, and a speaker. I look forward to working with anyone searching for a proven methodology out of mediocrity. May I assist you in taking your business to the next level. Please call me now @ 516 359 4874 to review your business goals and strategies.

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