Furniture Retail Tip #9 From Grandpa Mike-e-e! at 90 - "OOMPAH BAND'

Michael Greene (Grandpa Mike-e-e at 90)

The trouble with most group business meetings in our industry is that most of them end with, "It can't be done. No way." Not only is that short shrift announced, but it's sure to be followed-up with the classic "It hasn't been done before." So-o-o, something refreshing has a rare chance of being tried.

From my tiny viewpoint and semi-classic experience I think that each one of us has a sort of built-in, "Shadowy Being" in our makeup. The kind that they draw in classic cartoons that float around, whispering suggestions in our ear... urging us not to do something we never would do if "We were in our right mind", or to do it! 

"Shadowy Being"? Yes. The kind that furniture retailers are afraid of because when they grab for it, it slips between their fingers and fades into the personal atmosphere that surrounds them while awake.

In my own experience as a retailer, the "Shadowy Being" was there when I thought about increasing my selling prices. When I considered closing our stores evenings except on Tuesdays. When I pondered setting a Wednesday aside once every two months for "Customer Design Question Seminars" with one of our designers, at no charge, but with English tea and goodies. What would my "Shadowy Being" do? Would it say, "No Way!" or give the ideas a try. I was always trying to find out.

As kids, we were taught to believe that; French horns can only play oompha; only women can raise children properly; only men can drive trucks and be cops, and only individuals under 35 can "make" it.

None of the above are true. The simple truth is that you can take any one of the above and fashion it to fit a dream of your own.

My Bubbila and I were once invited to hear a group of musicians with French horns (a nifty instrument) play a smorgosbord of music including calypso, a collection of rock and boogie, Neil Diamond and a finale of "A Bicycle Built for Two."

Plus, with added guitars, out came a super rendition of old time "Sweet Caroline" that knocked the audience right off their no-cushioned, portable chairs. Oy! Vey!

And who pulled off this "Shadowy Being" event? A seasoned-teacher-horn player in his 60 's who dreamed what a traditional French horn player might do for an audience of over-70 seniors. It's all a question of doing what you can do with what you have.

The moral?

There's no problem playing oompah on French horns. It's warm, tried and true. And, if you have a dream, you can even play Neil Diamond compositions (as they do) for primary school children who have attention-span problems. Our brave, talented, music teacher decided to do it and did.

As a furniture store owner or manager, you too, are obligated to talk over your dreams for new avenues with your "Shadowy Being." Have a conversation, and don't give in to the other voices in your business meetings that hold fast to the status quo of tried and true and boring business practices. Listening to your "Shadowy Being" can  stir your happiness, stir your values a-n-d believe it or not, help you to be a more successful business person.

Thanks, again, for listening

Grandpa Mike-e-e! at 90

Got a question? Got a comment? Great!! E-mail: grandpamike-e-e!@furninfo.com