The only way to get out of my community is to go north. We have a Provincial Park to the south which is a wonderful feature for residents but it cuts off access to and from the community to the south.  There is a community strip mall which is located south of my home. It’s a fairly typical retail center with convenience store, liquor, dry cleaner, veterinarian & doggie daycare, dental practice, barber shop, hair salon and a neighbourhood pub. The people that run the convenience store and the dry cleaner call me by name. I don’t do a great deal of business with either retailer, but they still make the effort to remember and use my name. If I were to choose strictly on convenience I would stop at another location on my way north, but I make an effort to patronize these businesses.  Dale Carnegie says “No word sounds as lovely as our own name.”

It’s a little thing that can make a big difference.  I am just one customer.  Imagine how much of a differnce this small gesture makes to the well being of this business.  Sometimes business owners are so focused on the big issues and the small things are ignored.  Take some time to look at small things that might make a big difference.