Golden Rule Philosophy in Action

It is so ironic that this was the exact training at our meeting this past Tuesday. I have to share with you a call I got today that perfectly illustrates what we are called to do in Mary Kay. I know many of you do not go to meetings, do not take advantage of educational opportunities, may not have read Mary Kay's Autobiography, or met Mary Kay personally so you may not aware of our Golden Rule Philosophy and how it applies to your Mary Kay business in a very practical and personal way.

Roni: "Hi, is this Julie Thomas?" ME: "Yes" Roni: "Hi, you don't know me but I got your name off the Mary Kay website. I use Mary Kay and just moved her from South Carolina. I am out of products and am calling because I wanted to buy some from you." ME: "That's great, Roni, but may I ask you a question? Have you called your consultant in South Carolina to let her know you have moved to see if she is still able to be of service to you? Roni: (pause) "Uh, no, did you want me too?" ME: "Roni, I am more than happy to be of service to you but, in Mary Kay, we try hard to operate by the Golden Rule. I service a lot of out-of-state clients. I ship it to them at no cost so it is the same as if they lived in my own city. I know how I would feel if one of my established customers moved and I didn't have the opportunity to explain that to her. I would really hope that the consultant she called would do the same as I am with you and suggested that she check in with me. I have had customers move away and thought that they would just buy from someone local since they moved. After a period of time they inevitably call me back and say 'can I buy from you again? Even though you ship it to me, you get it to me so much quicker than local consultants because you have the products in stock and take your business seriously'. I would love for your consultant to have that same opportunity with you." Roni: "Oh, OK then." ME: "Now remember, Roni, PLEASE hold on to my number. If, after talking with your consultant, you find that she is not willing to be of service to you long distance, if she is going to charge you shipping, or you are otherwise dissatisfied, PLEASE do not hesitate to call me back because I would be honored to be of service to you in that situation"

Consultants - I will be honest with you: it is NOT any easier for me to do the right thing than any other person. Of course, it would be so much easier to take her order than to take the time to explain - especially since there is a financial reward tied to it. Protecting our Mary Kay culture of "doing unto others as you would have them do unto you" has to be MORE IMPORTANT than a sale because our culture, our go-give philosophy, our adoptee program, etc. is the better part of us that changes women's lives! That support for one another is EVERYTHING. In that call, I thought of what I would want done if I was Roni's consultant but, at the end, I also communicated that it applies to Roni as well and what I would want done if I was a customer looking for product (if she is not satisfied with the service she has, someone who will welcome her.) I did take down her number and I will call in a few days to make sure that she is taken care of (because that is what I would want done for me if I were in her situation). My sincere hope is that, as a representative of Mary Kay Cosmetics, and as a member of Team Thomas, you are just as committed to our guiding philosophy. A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link and, by us sticking together on this, we can change the world!