Even though I call this the Brag Basket, it’s not really about bragging. It’s about sharing. I started this so you can introduce yourself, share some good news, or congratulate a friend.
The basket is open all weekend, from August 13-15, 2010.
Speak up and add yourself or another deserving soul in the comments. We all cheer, and everyone feels great. It lets you meet each other a bit. Reading each others’ stories brings us a bit closer to being a community.
How does it work? You write a comment on this post, email me, tweet me, or comment on Facebook. You tell something great about your week, or you give applause to someone who did good stuff this week. Or you celebrate something wonderful that you tried that failed.
This is not an ad. (I delete the ads.) It’s a conversation with friends. So jump in. And remember to cheer for each other.
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The rural small business blog. We talk about small town business, with how-to articles, especially on social media marketing and making your community a better place. We use this “author” for announcements and other things you’ll want to know.
I frequent a small bistro in Lewiston, ID, called La Boheme. Okay, I don’t just frequent it, I would live there if I could swing the deal, but the owner isn’t biting yet, so I’m relegated to “Frequenter”. Anyway.
I was meeting two friends there for morning coffee and, on our way to the door, we ran into another person we knew. Said person was walking back to his office after purchasing a morning cup of corporate coffee and decided to join us for a few minutes inside La Boheme.
There were only the 4 of us inside, not counting the owner. As we sat down and ordered our Americano/Espresso/Cappuccino, Corporate Coffee Holder took a chair at our table.
After we each had our drinks, the owner (Nathanael) came back to the table with an empty paper cup. “Would you mind slipping this empty cup around your beverage? Thank you, I really appreciate it – may I ask what type of coffee drink that is?” It was an Americano. “Great! Well, enjoy your visit.”
Not 2 minutes later, Nathanael came back to the table. “I really want you to be able to try the coffee we serve here, so I made you our Americano – no charge, I just want you to taste the difference. You already have coffee so It’s in a paper cup – you can take it with you and try it later. If you like it, you might also like the fact that we charge much less than what you paid for your coffee this morning.”
Instead of asking our friend to choose between keeping his coffee or chatting with us, Nathanael encouraged him to stay, protected his brand and used the opportunity to convert a customer. By being nice.
It was amazing to watch.
Lisa, that is a great story. Cheers to Nathanael and La Boheme!
It’s not a brag – but rather news.
We have seen the number of businesses that qualify for – and get – our type of financing increase. A small sign things are betting better for some businesses out there.
More importantly, we have been losing some deals to banks… Sounds weird, but that is good news! It means banks are lending, at least to some small businesses. During the height of the recession we were getting clients from banks….. now it;’s the other way round :-)
Marco, thank you for an encouraging look at the current economy! Yay!
A past speaking client last hired me in 2004 and 2005, called to hire me back for another event this year! I love relationship building that results in repeat customers!
Yay, Barry! Congratulations!
Stopping by for a full-on brag: I *just* finished the sixth and final lesson for my Blog Accessibility Mastermind – Introductory Course! I now have a complete asset to sell again and again! The flagship store of my shopping mall is now built.
Becky, thanks for the space to brag!
Glenda, that is fully fantastic – congratulations!