With United We Stand?

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Picture this:

 

It’s 5:58pm.

 

You’re the owner of an upscale Men’s Clothing retail store.

 

It’s your daughters birthday and you promised her you’d be home on time for her party. You’re shutting down the registers and preparing to leave.

 

Store closes at 6:00pm.

 

It’s now 5:59pm and the door swings open. In walks a distinguished looking man who slowly begins to browse the suits on the racks.

 

Under any other circumstances you would surely stay the extra time to service a customer and hopefully make a sale. However the idea of disappointing your cherubic little girl (not to mention the image of your wife’s scowling face) have you clearing your throat:

 

“Eh Ahem, I’m sorry Sir, but we are closed. Please come back tomorrow anytime between 9am and 6pm and I would be happy to help you find the perfect suit.”

 

The distinguished looking man has either not heard you or is doing a great job pretending to be deaf. So you raise your voice and say it a bit louder this time.

 

Nothing.

 

You walk over to the man and tap him on the shoulder and tell him very clearly that the store is now closed and he must leave now.

 

The man insists that he must buy a suit NOW.

 

You wait a few more minutes.

 

It’s now 6:17pm and the distinguished man is still taking his time browsing the racks. You warn the straggler (not looking so distinguished anymore) that if he doesn’t leave the store immediately you will be forced to call the Police.

 

This clearly does not faze him. Having no choice you dial 911.

 

Police arrive just as the gentlemen is heading towards the the dressing room. You explain the situation and the Police advise the man that he must leave the premises immediately.

 

He ignores them too insisting he needs to buy a suit NOW.

 

They physically grab him by the arms to escort him out of the store. The man resists and things quickly turn ugly…

 

Bystanders stop to watch the scene and the flash of smartphones can be seen from every angle. Video of the scene has been captured for eternity.

 

You wake up the next morning to a photo of your store with headlines that read: “DISTINGUISHED ENGINEER BRUTALLY REMOVED FROM MEN’S CLOTHING STORE FOR TRYING TO BUY A SUIT MINUTES AFTER STORE CLOSING!

 

Really???!

GET IT RIGHT

 

This can happen to any one of us and can play itself out in multiple scenarios.

 

Use of force has its place.

 

However, in my humble opinion, to sum it up in one very short sentence, using force to achieve compliance is rarely a good idea.

 

There is always a better way.

 

Happy Tuesday & Selling!

Kevin