On January 4, Mr. Bruce
Halle, founder of Discount Tire passed away. I had the privilege of working on
a Discount Tire project a few years ago. Two things were very obvious my
first week on the contract. When a customer called for help, you did
whatever it took to take care of it and worked the problem through till
resolution was complete. Corporate headquarters did not let those at the stores
hang. Another refreshing observation was the friendliness found in the
Discount Tire workplace. It was almost like everyone was family
Now remember I was not
an employee of Discount Tire. During my time there I was just a faceless contractor
hired to assist with an SAP implementation. One afternoon on my way back from
lunch, I noticed an older gentleman walking towards the door I had just
entered. I went back and I held the door open for the elderly gentleman. The
gentleman looked at my badge and said "thank you, Rory". When I
mentioned it to co-workers they remarked, oh you just met Mr. Halle. From that
point on during the project, anytime Mr. Halle saw me he always greeted me by
name. The founder set the standard for courtesy at Discount Tire.
During my time at
Discount Tire, a local fellow greyhound adopter needed new tires. She had her
greyhound with her when she dropped her car off at Discount Tire. It was during
the summer months and for those of you who may not know, here in the valley of
the sun temps are often over 100 degrees and it gets very toasty in a vehicle.
Later that afternoon when she picked up her car, she did not see it in the
Discount Tire parking lot. Asking where her car was, the Discount Tire
technician told her that the car was in another lot parked under a tree so it
would be shaded and kept cooler for her greyhound. That is what Discount Tire
employees do. They care about their customers.
Courtesy. Caring.
Consideration. Doing your job well. Mr. Halle lived that from the day he
started Discount Tire with very little money and 6 tires till the day he passed
way as a 5-time billionaire. That is a legacy that is passed down from Mr.
Halle to many who had the privilege to meet him or work for Discount
Tire.
Be nice, treat others as
you would want to be treated and take care of customers. You do that and you
will be successful.
We each need to ask
ourselves - What will my legacy be? Will it be all about me? Or should we
strive to be sure our legacy is what we have taught others and shown to others
so that they can pass along kindness and service to others?
