What Matters
What Matters
Greetings Golfers,
Winter is a great time for reflection. And retirement can also be a great time for reflection.
So … here’s a great reflection. I saw it on LinkedIn … and posted by Alan Ferebee - Director of Golf Operations at New Bern Golf & Country Club:
“With my retirement from the golf business only a few short weeks away, I have some unsolicited advice for the new PGA Professionals.
Everyone does customer service - do hospitality.
Build relationships - not just customers.
Always be attentive and in the moment.
You are a leader - lead by example.
Never stop learning, and never look back.
I will miss the people more than anything.”
How good was that????!!!!
I especially like 1 and 2.
Number 5 … I like “Never stop learning” … but I don’t like “Never look back”. Looking back is part of learning. I don’t mean getting stuck in the past … I mean looking and learning from the past … and applying to the present AND future.
As much as I like number 1 … I love number 2. And … I think number 1 is a natural result of number 2 … seeing people as relationships and not just customers.
We’re all so sick of the world just seeming transactional.
In my little town, we have 2 new restaurants … and they’re nailing it … because of hospitality. Especially the one owned/run by an older guy. He’s a character and really into it. His personality runs through everything - especially his staff. My granddaughter and I had lunch there a few days ago … he just came over and said hi … and it felt personal - not transactional.
Restaurants in both locations have consistently folded … because of a lack of hospitality.
Hospitality is not name-tags and scripts … hospitality is genuinely caring about people.
Isn’t the Christmas season all about hospitality? Or is it just about the stuff? We all know the difference.
Well … I’m not ready for retirement … though I have a plan in place. And my main concern is that our focus on hospitality and relationships continue.
Otherwise … what’s the point?
Though retiring, I hope that Alan Ferebee doesn’t abandon the golf world. We need more people like him who get it. I hope he had a good succession plan.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com