“The Specialist” Sales and Management Training Blog

Hi everybody,

I have a great management story to share with you this evening. Years ago when I was 100% involved in the daily routine of hiring and training sales persons I will never forget this great human being affectionately nicknamed GONGA JIM by me and my entire staff. We even used to have this saying that we all chanted when he came into the room. “When things are bleak and looking dim, can we count on GONGA JIM?

The unique thing about this story was that Jim’s brother was a judge and he was broke and without a car, and it was obvious something went wrong in his life. He walked to and from work everyday and NEVER missed a day! I have often, when talking about management, discussed the little things in life that mean so much to each employee yet are often overlooked by management. First, this gentleman Jim was older than me by a long ways and in another post I will discuss the art of being a young manager and yet finding yourself in charge of older personnel.

For this post I want to concentrate on the little motivational things that are so often overlooked. I remember as if it were yesterday when GONGA JIM finally won representative of the month and won the 13″ color television. It was snowing horribly outside and Jim was so proud of his accomplishment, I couldn’t help to notice as I looked out my 2nd floor office window seeing Jim walking home in the snow with his award plaque and his 13″ color television.

What a sight! Of course I gave him a ride home but the point was this man had to write his presentation on cheat notes! He couldn’t even remember the presentation! Yet we made him part of something and recognized his accomplishment!

For the 1st time probably in his life he was the best at something! He didn’t care about the money…it was totally about the recognition! AGAIN, it is the little things that make people excel.

I just thought I would share a great management story with you. Months after that contest we still could always count on GONGA JIM!

“The Specialist”