The high-flyer at the checkout
There are some people who should not be behind a checkout.
I mean, they’re brilliant behind a checkout – they’re cheerful, they’re efficient… they make an extra effort to help. One way and another they’re a round peg in a round hole. It’s just that they’re wasted there. They’re worth so much more…
So it was with the man who sold me the batteries. For one thing he was far too old to be working behind a checkout – or at least, far too dignified. But he threw himself into the role as if he had got up in the morning with the sole purpose of demonstrating the dignity of work. Some people might consider it beneath them – you know the type: Talking to their friend at the next till, chewing gum and rolling their eyes when you fumble for change…
There was probably a time when this gentleman would have considered it beneath him. After all he had spent years climbing the corporate ladder. He had been a high-flyer. But now, in retirement things were different and I had no doubt that his “line manager” was someone no older than his grandchildren.
Yet there was no trace of resentment in the way he counted out my change – nothing but pride as he painstakingly peeled off my carrier bag. Clearly if he was going to work behind a checkout, then he was going to make darned sure it was the best-run checkout he could make it.
So when I proffered my card and asked: “Do you take the exclusive Cashback card?” he gave it his full attention.
Which meant I was able to go on: “It’s brilliant. It’s saved us well over £900 so far.”
Naturally, he had to know how that worked – everybody does. And the next thing you know, I was writing down his phone number.
I phoned him in the evening and told him a bit about our club. It transpires that all his groceries come from Sainsburys – which just happens to be our major Cashback partner. He could save a fortune even without changing his shopping habits. I told him so.
So now I’m going to see him next week. But what was more interesting was the way the conversation developed from there: It turned out that he had worked all his life in the retail industry. When he retired he had been the area manager for a major chain of electrical stores. Yet here he was working as the lowest of the low one day a week - or two when they were short-staffed.
It was a serious temptation to ask him there and then whether he liked to keep his business options open… whether he would consider looking at a way of developing another income stream….
But something warned me that telling someone that you have a better way for them to make a living – especially when they are clearly so proud of the one they’ve got at the moment… well maybe it might be the wrong tack to take.
So I’m looking forward to our appointment. Already I can feel that little thrill you when your prospect arrives at the obvious conclusion before you’ve even mentioned it … when their gaze clouds over and they’re thinking: “I could do this…”
I’ll let you know how it goes.