What Can A  Candy Executive Teach Us?


 

See's Candies --- Pasadena

I don’t normally read the obituaries but saw one this week that grabbed my attention.  Charles N. Huggins, a former See’s Candies executive died this week at the age of 87.   According to the Los Angeles Times obituary Mr. Huggins started his career at See’s Candies in San Francisco in 1951 as a manager in the company’s packing department and went on to become President and Chief Executive Officer until his retirement in 2006.   During his time he led the company to expansion to 200 stores primarily in the Western United States.

Ok, so what can a candy store executive teach us?   He had the final say when new candies were introduced and those which were to be retired(yes, retired candy -- who would have thought it was a term?).   It seems Mr. Huggins asked his store managers about slow sellers and based on their feedback discontinued Maple Walnut Creams.

Well, the uproar that ensued eventually caused him to admit the company had made a mistake and(according to the article) wrote letters and sent See’s Candies gift certificates to customers who had written letters of complaint.  The result of his act of contrition(please I mean no disrespect):  letters from customers offering thanks for the return of Maple Walnut Creams.     Charles Huggins was later quoted

“it’s easy to make customers for life”.

How often do we admit we have made a mistake?   How often do we say we are sorry?   How often do we correct a bad decision?   In real estate and in life --- I bet this would be appreciated -- what do you think?

Want to know more about See’s Candies?   Check the company website http://www.sees.com/

When you have a question or are just curious about real estate in the Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley as well as the Northeast Foothill communities within the city of Los Angeles contact me.   My name is Michael Jacobs - I am a Realtor and I can be reached at 818.516.4393 cell or michaeljacobs@coldwellbanker.com.  

 

Michael Jacobs

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

DRE # 01165532

2065 Huntington Drive

San Marino, California 91108

Cellular:  818.516.4393

Office:  626.685.5246

Office Fax:  626.568.9507

michaeljacobs@coldwellbanker.com

www.camoves.com/michael.jacobs

 

 

 
This post has been included in California Real Estate News Los Angeles County, CA Real Estate News
Post is included in group: WeBlog Anything (almost)!
Post is included in group: Everything California
Post is included in group: Coldwell Banker Platform for Sharing Information
Post is included in group: Advice and Valuable Information for Agents
Post is included in group: Almost Anything Goes

102 Comments on What Can A Candy Executive Teach Us?

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

AUG
25
3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

We all make mistakes, appoligise for a mistake, correct it, and move on
10:56am • #83
850,455 Points 183 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I love See's, but for years considered them competition. My grandparents had a candy store in Laguna Beach and made even better candy for years.
11:07am • #84
588,434 Points 58 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Joe - indeed!

Karen - that's completely understandable.  I just read about a Realtor who along with her daughter took over a candy store in Glendora(in the San Gabriel Valley) -- it's nice to see these small businesses taking on a new life.  These independently owned operations create such a great ambiance in our communities.
11:39am • #85
1,066,658 Points 68 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Love those "ladder of success" stories and the lesson that reviewing what we do and how we do it continually is what fosters success.
11:50am • #86
Sees Candy is the best. Good products and service are usually associated with good, strong, humble people.
12:14pm • #87
569,544 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Hi Michael,  Do away with " Maple Walnut Creams " !?!?   Some store managers should have been canned !
12:57pm • #88
153,158 Points Outside Blog

Good story and even better life/business lesson!

Thanks!!
1:21pm • #89
210,914 Points 1 Featured Post

See's Candy is so delicious!  Smart man, people will trust a person who is willing to admit their mistakes and fix them.  
3:15pm • #90
588,434 Points 58 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Sally and David - me too!

Ken - it's definitely nice when it happens that way.

Bill - I see another who is in the pro-Maple Walnut Creme camp.

Travis - you are very welcome, thanks.

Doreen - the article said he eventually changed his mind but the fact is he did admit he made a bad decision and did something about it -- nicely done in my opinion.

 
3:25pm • #91
421,213 Points 16 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Thanks Michael, great customer service lesson, I have never heard of See's before this and now I would like to find them and try these famous candies, especially the Maple Creams.
6:50pm • #92
588,434 Points 58 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Bob -- See's Candies started on the West Coast but has over the years expanded and now through the internet is worldwide.   Check their website http://www.sees.com/ for store locations, product selection, online ordering and delivery plus all other kinds of fun stuff.
8:26pm • #93
AUG
26
103,465 Points

Michael great post and lesson, Thank you for sharing!! I love See's Candies!!!

 

 
 

 
1:11pm • #94
588,434 Points 58 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Emilia -- it appears you are not alone in your affection for See's Candies.
3:23pm • #95
1,023,170 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Be humble.  Good thing to keep in mind for many areas of our life.
8:33pm • #96
588,434 Points 58 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Gene -- no disagreement here.  
8:49pm • #97
AUG
27
367,908 Points 18 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Very nice post and a way to show your own personal thinking about corporate and business acts.  Congratulations on your feature and your focus
7:11am • #98
588,434 Points 58 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Larry -- thank you very much.
7:20am • #99
SEP
01
697,960 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Michael, what a an inspirational post.  You really nailed it.  And, I wanted to be the 100th commenter on this amazing piece of history.  See's is an institution!
3:37pm • #100
588,434 Points 58 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Suzanne -- glad to See you were the #100 comment for See's Candies.  Let's celebrate and break open a box, what do you say?
11:08pm • #101
NOV
19
236,941 Points 5 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

We all make mistakes. It's how you handle them that separates to men from the boys. Mr. Huggins got it right.
9:18pm • #102

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All


What does the graphic say?
Leave a response…

(optional)
Spam Prevention:
 
Unknown Rainmaker_large

Michael Jacobs, Pasadena CA/SanGabriel Valley Realtor, 818.516.4393 cell

Pasadena, CA

More about me…

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

Address: 2065 Huntington Drive, San Marino, CA, 91108

Office Phone: (626) 685-5246

Cell Phone: (818) 516-4393

Email Me

Your source for real estate representation in the San Gabriel Valley and northeast communities of the city of Los Angeles including: Pasadena, Altadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, Alhambra, San Gabriel, Temple City, Arcadia, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Duarte, Bradbury, Azusa, Glendora, Claremont, Glendale and La Canada Flintridge as well as Highland Park, Monterey Hills, Eagle Rock, Mt Washington, Montecito Heights, Glassell Park and Sagamore Park.


Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog