| News, Views, and Thoughts |
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| July 23, 2004 Source: Felicia Samson News: Lithia Toyota of Vacaville provides consistent excellent service! Summary of News: -- First visit (many months ago). Sales associate was helpful and not pushy. This was when I was looking for Zippy 2. Sales associate asked questions to better identify what type of vehicle would best suit me and my family. Employees were friendly, and positively and humorously interacted with my son. -- Second visit (July 22, 2004). Sales associate greeted me as I approached the office. Sales associate listened to details of which vehicle I was looking for. Sales associate walked the lot with me and pointed out vehicles that fit the category. Sales associate referred me to another sales associate when needed. -- Phone contact (July 23, 2004). Sales associate returned multiple calls in a very timely manner, and gave details of vehicles that fit our needs. -- Third visit (July 23, 2004). Sales associate greeted me by name as we were exiiting our car Sales associate took us directly to the vehicle that we had discussed on the phone. Sales associate referred us to other employees as needed. Sales associate provided us with time alone to discuss, without "peeping" over our shoulders. Additional sales associates greeted us, and provided additional information, positively and humorously. We purchased the vehicle. My Views: (1) Know what your job is. These sales associates know that their job is to help the consumer find the vehicle that best fits their needs, including vehicle type and price. With this knowledge, sales associates weren't trying to show-off everything they knew about vehicles, rather, they were an excellent resource for us. (2) Work can be fun! Buying a new vehicle is a big headache! But, by using humor appropriately, even the biggest headache can be relieved by laughter. |
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| July 16, 2004 Source: Jennifer Chen, Associated Press (article printed in The Sacramento Bee, p.A9) News: Mandela: No donation too little in AIDS fight Summary of News as reported from Source: -- Nelson Mandela is calling on governments, businesses, and citizens to donate generously to the war on AIDS. -- Former President Mandela had survived tuberculosis in prison during his country's apartheid era. -- Protests continue against President Bush's funding policies and his emphasis on abstinence over condoms as a defense against HIV transmission. -- Critics say a vow of abstinence is difficult to maintain, and when broken, can lead to unprotected sex, raising the risk of HIV infection. My Views: (1) Everyone and everything has a purpose. Former President Mandela survived tuberculosis so that he could be a leader to his people. (2) We continue to look for a purpose, even when ours may have been completed, and it is time for us to "R.E.L.A.X.". Perhaps because former President Mandela has survived the dis-ease from tuberculosis, he feels that it is his responsibility to help others with the dis-ease from AIDS. (3) Educate, don't ignore the root of the problem! If critics are worried that people cannot maintain a vow of abstinence, then individuals should be educated on the values of abstinence, facts about condoms, and also the concept that the potential of maintaining a vow of abstinence is difficult, so individuals can be prepared to face that challenge should it arise. |
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| Samson's Thoughts: August 13, 2004 Today's thoughts are silent moments for reflection... |
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