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YOU_GOTTA_PUT_ON_A_GOOD_SHOW
| YOU GOTTA PUT ON A GOOD SHOW
Amarillo, Texas is known for at least two things – Palo Duro
Canyon and some of the finest people you’ll find anywhere.
It was recently my good fortune to be with some of those good
people. I was that district’s keynoter for the annual safety
awards banquet of Texas Department of Transportation.
Both before and during the meeting part of the banquet, I
received some good natured ribbing about my Barber-osophy
outfit. The red and white stripped vest and arm garters, along
with the black bow tie, tend to stand out a bit. My shiny head
also usually draws comments.
When it came time to speak, I felt compelled to respond in kind.
First of all, I jokingly pointed out that if one of the Austin
TxDot guests, who preceded me at the mic and who has a haircut
like mine like mine, would stand beside me we’d look like two
headlights. I then noted that the Barber-osophy outfit was my
version of an old country and western song. One line says, “If
you’re gonna make a livin’ to gotta put on a good show.” In
other words, the outfit and lots of humorous stories were for
purposes of entertainment and uniqueness. The uniqueness part, I
believe, is needed in most businesses.
At J.B.’s Barber Shop our “show” (uniqueness) is our family
atmosphere. It’s a place where customers are called by name and
where friends meet. It’s where you’re a friend instead of just a
customer. That’s our “show,” and it’s been going on for nearly
50 years.
At a certain airport car rental in Amarillo a young man named
Kevin has another type of “show.” While several others
franchises were just renting cars, he was selling a good
attitude and a sense of humor.
After I made arrangements with Kevin for my rental, I asked,
“Can you tell me how to get to the Ambassador Hotel?”
“Sure can,” he replied. “It’s not that hard at all, since it’s
the tallest building in town. In fact Amarillo’s so flat you can
stand outside and see just about everything there is to see.”
He then nailed down his “show” by saying, “In Amarillo if your
dog runs away from home, two days later you can still see it
leaving.”
BARBER-OSOPHY: If in your business you want to make a good
living, and be favorably remembered, put on a good “show.”
Copyright 2005, Sumerlin Enterprises. Permission is granted to
reprint this article as long as a link to www.barber-osophy.com
is included.
About the author:
Terry L. Sumerlin, known as the Barber-osopher, is the author of
"Barber-osophy," and is a columnist for the San Antonio Business
Journal. He speaks nationally as a humorist/motivational
speaker. Visit his website at www.Barber-osophy.com.
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