Stories of customers who improved me: Story #1

 

From left to right

Tom & Sue Pryor, Margie & Andy Anderson

 

Can you name a customer who improved you more than you improved them?

 

I can. In fact there have been seven as I look back over my career.

The first story I want to share is about Andy Anderson. Andy hired me and my firm, ICMS, Inc., 23 years ago to help his employer, Rohm & Haas Chemical, implement Activity Based Cost Management.

 

I've stayed in contact with Andy over the years, mostly with Christmas cards, Facebook, and occasional phone calls. We renewed our friendship face-to-face on July 13, 2013, in Louisville during lunch with our wives. 

 

Andy improved my life during a business dinner in 1990 after a day of consulting. After dessert he took out a small strip of paper that had printing on both sides.

Andy said "Here's something simple that I believe will improve your relationship with God and the people you meet every day."

 

Intrigued, I replied "I taught you Activity Based Costing. Now it's your turn to teach me. How can this simple strip of paper help me accomplish what you say?"

 

Andy replied with his own question. "Are there people or things you pray for each day?"

I answered that I pray for my wife everyday. He wrote "My wife" in the Everyday box on the 6 X 3 inch paper prayer card (see example below).

He then asked "Do people ever ask you to pray for them?"

"Yes, occasionally. Last week a person asked me to pray for her need to find a job."

Andy replied, "When someone asks you to pray for a need give them a reason to feel confident you'll do it.  Take the card out of your pocket. Pick a day and write their name and need on a specific day. Tell the person which day you'll pray for that need."  

Andy wrote my friend's name and need in Friday on the prayer card.

 

 

Andy encouraged me to fold the strip of paper and keep it in my pocket with my cash. When I reach for money during the day, I feel and see the card. I unfold the card, read what I've got listed for the day and shoot up a quick prayer to God for the people and purposes I promised.

 

During the past 23 years I've replaced the prayer card Andy gave me many, many times. Why? Because I've filled many prayer cards and marked off hundreds of God's answered prayers over the years.

 

What's the impact of using this simple piece of paper? It has repeatedly showed people that I care enough to do something immediately regarding their need. It gives them confidence I will pray for their need. And it plants seeds that will be harvested later, either by God or by me.

 

Thank you Andy for improving my life 23 years ago.