The imperfect Christian got to report for WYNK iWitness News Live from the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) which was hosted in Atlanta, GA this year. There were international guest from as far away as Brasil and as close by as the Caribbean. The guest from the US touched most every continental state. The booth that the imperfect Christian was blessed to take part in was a booth set up by the company that does distribution for his company and hosted five others as well. It was a great show, however, it had its moments. With the polite, you will also find the impolite. Then Christian people wonder why non-believers hate us so. Christians also wonder why so many Christian retailers have to close their doors.
News Flash... rude is not tough, it's foolish. If you are a small retailer with limited supply, and limited service, then you doom yourself. The "Microwave Society" is no longer such. It has morphed from the, let me have a quick fix Microwave Society, into the if you haven't delivered it to me already then you are too late iGeneration!
Prime examples:
If someone walks into your store and literally has to beg you for service, you are doomed. On top of that if you don't have what they want, then you have just shoveled out your businesses grave one customer at a time. If you are really bad then you will not offer to stock the customers needed product in the immediate future, and will more than likely neglect to offer your services to ship it to them as well. Welcome to the funeral of your Christian retail business, and the birth of another online consumer.
As a buyer you also kill your chances at gaining favors for your store when you are rude? One less customer means you are now lessening your clientele, which in turn means you are lessening your commerce.
Top Five Rude Stories from ICRS (THE International Christian Retail Show).
5) The Waver
Massimo walks the floor of the Georgia World Congress Center looking for the deals of the year. His feet are tired from walking the thinly carpeted concrete floors, and he only has timet to speak to whom he wishes to speak to. There is not time to waste on being a polite Christian. He passes by an Exhibitor (a very sweet lady) offering to let him know that there is an artist signing at her booth. So what's Massimo do? He walks by waving his hand at her like that's the only limb he has, and it just happens to be on fire. This waving hand is trying to signal to her a rude phrase that was popular during his childhood, "Go away kid you bother me!" Lord just once may the imperfect Christian kick him in the shins for her? Please!? The imperfect one is hearing You Lord. Yes Sir, the imperfect Christian knows that Saint Pete cut off the soldiers ear that attempted to apprehend Christ, and he knows that kicking this man in the shin falls along the same line, but it would be so nice to see an instantaneous lesson taught here. You could let that sweet woman at the Exhibitors booth lay hands on him like You did with the soldier, and heal his bleeding shins. The imperfect Christian just asks that You allow him to shine his imperfect dress shoes on that chumps shins first... paaaahlease. Just once? OK Lord I apologize, and I am grateful that You truly know the human side of things.
4) The Humbler
Mary Jane swings by the booth to get some product. Her beady eyes fixed on her prize, she makes her move, and drats! She's greeted with a huge smile and a, "How are you ma'am?" She's reluctant to speak, and tries to ignore him completely without saying a word, which drives that rep to tell her that only stores can receive his products. When he does so, she finally speaks and explains that her friend is at the show, just not with her, and she has a store. The rep replies, "Great have your friend come see me for a demo, I pray that you enjoy the rest of the show ma'am."
3) The Humbler Part 2
Fella walks by the booth says he loves your music but can't take any into his store. It just doesn't do well for him. Hmmm so why is it that he comes back each day for additional copies? Isn't that like stealing and lying all in the same breath? Can you say shelf stocker? So why not ask him why he came back for more of what he couldn't sell. That's not rude, right? His answer, "Oh I thought these were different CD's." The exhibitors reply, "No sir, same product as yesterday, and it's the same product that will be featured all week, thank you for coming by (each day for product you love, but can't remember it from the day before!) it is a blessing to have a brother in Christ appreciate our work."
2) The Walker
The Exhibitor smiles to greet another (read this next portion with HEAVY sarcasm) pleasant Christian. "Good morning ma'am/sir." No reply. Are they really listening, or just pretending not to? Try this next time. "Ma'am/Sir you dropped your credit card." When they break their neck to look back for that card, say in your best Joel Osteen voice, "God bless you!" Don't forget to smile as they stomp away.
And last but not least... numero uno!
The Okie Doke (aka You got me!)
A woman stops by the booth and asks pointing at the exhibitors CD's, "Are these free?" Exhibitor answers, "To retail buyers yes ma'am. Plus you can sign up to win a Wii, or earn one by meeting the criteria of the distributing company that is hosting the exhibitors booth." She is not a buyer, but she wants that CD! The exhibitor offers her information about each company in a packet. She refuses saying she doesn't have room in her luggage for the folder. He counters with offering her a CD catalog with his business card. She counters with saying that she doesn't have need of the CD catalog, so he offers the business card only. She comes back with the most ignorant excuse of the day! "I don't want to inconvenience you by taking a card, I know they costs money." The look on her face was priceless when the exhibitor fired back with a compassionate reply of, "Yes ma'am they do cost money, they are also small enough to slip inside a CD case so no extra room is necessary in order to pack them. They also cost less than what it costs to manufacture the CD (that you are willing to take), and it would ride along nicely with the CD. As a market minister it would not be an inconvenience but a blessing if you would take the card, so if nothing else you can pray for the company and its rep. We believe in business, but being about the Fathers' business comes first with me." She grabbed the CD and bolted. The look on her face was priceless. I didn't want to be rude, but give her the truth in love, no matter how much it hurt.
Well dear friends, the imperfect Christian will deliver the good news in the CBA show in the next imperfect blog. Until then... peace from the Peach State, blessings, and joy!
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