When I first started in business, a successful entrepreneur told me, “Learn more about people than you do about your product or service and you will be unusually successful.” Those words have stuck with me for 25 years.

Over the years, I have studied people everywhere I go – in airports, ships, hotels, grocery stores, offices, other people’s homes. Through this extensive study of people, I have learned how different people think, what motivates people, how they interact with others, what their dreams and desires are.

I’ve also seen what makes people want to hire someone, fire them or promote them. I want to show you just one example of that today, because this really can impact every area of your professional and personal life.

You’ve been into a dollar store, right? What does a dollar store employee look like? Sloppy, chomping on gum, and looking like they just rolled out of bed? Probably this employee is on the phone and clearly not interested in you, the customer. They have a bad attitude, no communication skills and actually treat the customers like they are an inconvenience. When you go to check out, you don’t get a smile, no eye contact, and they move sooooo slowly.

How does that experience make you feel? You want to get out of that store as fast as you can. The rude and sloppy employee annoys you and certainly does not make you feel welcome. In fact, you probably avoid going back to that store altogether.

Tell me – what does that do for business? Does that help the company make more money, or does that behavior lose money for the store? Does it gain more customers or lose customers?

So my question for you today is, what is YOUR work ethic? Are you that “dollar-store employee” in your office? Are you professional? Do you look professional? Are you well-dressed? Do you get frustrated when someone asks you a question? Do you smile? Are you happy to see your clients and coworkers? Do you constantly look (and act) like you’re having a bad day?

It is so important to answer these questions honestly today. Because your position in your company exists to make the company more money, either directly or indirectly. If your attitude or conduct drives customers away, the company will lose money. If the company loses money, you will be replaced by someone who will work with excellence and diligence and bring in more customers to make the company more money. That is the kind of employee who gets promotions and raises and bonuses.

That kind of employee goes out of their way to make the customer happy. They smile and make eye contact. They remember the customer’s name, speak clearly and with respect. They are clean, well-dressed and professional. That employee makes customers look forward to coming back again and again.

Today, focus on becoming the employee who will be promoted… instead of demoted or fired. You will be shocked by how quickly you can move up in your company if you make just a few simple changes.

It would be a great idea to pass this along to your entire company today. Even if you have a wonderful, professional team, there is always room for improvement! Print this out and pass it around in the office, or post this link on your social media sites. And please tell me about your experiences with THAT type of employee in the comments below!

Then, join me today for The Dani Johnson Show, when we discuss more tips and strategies to help you excel in everything you do! You can tune in on your TV and radio or you can always stream today’s show right here on our website.

In great faith,

P.S. Like what you read here? Just hit the “LIKE” button at the top of the page! That will help your Facebook friends find this message!