What Can A Candy Executive Teach Us?
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.
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