Tales Of A Fourth Generation Textile Executive: Yes! Blog Recycled
As I recently promised, I am going to recycle some of my older favorite blogs. This is great because, as the year winds down, I am running out of subject matter to discuss. But really, I am just getting too tired and absolutely cannot wait for Christmas vacation. I too get tired. All that being said, this is a great blog to get you thinking about changes for 2017. Maybe it is time to turn in to a Yes (man or woman). 
No! No! No! That dirty little word has be driving me crazy lately because I have been hearing way too much of it from people that should be saying YES! YES! YES! I am hearing this from suppliers, vendors, publishers, employees, reps and so many others. I just don’t get it. I am not sure if the people are just being lazy or that it is just their nature, but from me, I can promise you a YES! 99% of the time.
What kind of business practice would it be to say NO? A stupid one in my opinion. The thing that bothers me even more is that when I ask “why not?” the answer is really nothing more than a really lame excuse. I could live with a legitimate excuse. I am not big on excuses though and typically ignore them because all they are is excuses. So in my quest for yes answers, I relentlessly press the NO-sayers to try to get them to a yes answer. I end up hearing more excuses and it makes me consider whether I want to continue to do business with a NOer (someone who always says NO!). Who really needs it when I can probably easily find someone else that will say yes without a fight?
I frequently get calls, emails and letters with all sorts of requests and like I said, 99% of the time I say yes. To say yes is rewarding. People are sometimes shocked at the lengths I will go to in order to make something happen. But this is an amazing quality and this will make people want to continue to work with me and continue to do business with my family of companies. You would truly be surprised how often I get thank you emails, calls and letters. People even stop me at quilt market and say, “you were so kind to have done so and so.”
Without harping on my successes of being a yes man, I have one simple request: stop saying no! and start saying YES! YES! YES! You too will be thanking me as it is never too late to turn over a new and simple leaf like this one. You will be proud you did. Am I right or what?
Yes Man Scott & Studioe
One Comment
Joanne Hubbard
I love this post! You certainly are one to say “Yes” and our meeting is proof of that. Thanks for making that possible. 🙂
I sometimes feel like you do and wonder why I often find myself surrounded by people who always have an excuse or just can’t seem to be positive and say “Yes.” It is often exhausting to be around this attitude. We are all busy. We all have personal lives. Trust me; I get that. I’m busy all of the time, but I always try to find a way to say “Yes” and if I can’t do it, I’ll try to find someone who can.
Giving and volunteering was a part of my growing up and I’ve tried to pass that on to my children and grandchildren. My parents were involved in a number of community, school, work, and church activities and all twelve of us kids learned from their example. I find it tremendously rewarding to say “Yes,” whether it be by volunteering my time, donating a quilt, or sharing my designs and patterns for donation quilts. I love the feeling I get when I can help someone in need. I don’t need accolades or praise. Just being able to help someone or solve a problem is enough from me.
I hope your post encourages others to stop and think before they say “No.” One yes is all it takes to get the ball rolling. As the old Life Cereal commercial says, “Try it. You’ll like it!”
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!