Contribute To The Magic

It is no secret that I am a believer in Milton. This community has been very good to me, and it is a great place to live, work, and raise children and grandchildren. I am also a believer in outstanding customer service, a commodity which isn’t always easy to find.

Small communities and the businesses within them face many challenges. I like to think of myself as a community builder. One of the ways I work toward that goal is to shop locally, within the community, as much as possible. Why shop local? Let me share my compelling reasons.

My time is valuable to me so shopping local is a gift to myself as I find it more efficient. Connections are also high on my list, so I like to become acquainted with small business owners and the citizens who work for them.

Milton’s businesses are extremely generous and give back often by sponsoring sports teams, musical groups, and community building events such as the Independence Day run, parade, and fireworks. Spending my shopping dollars here in Milton helps make this happen.

Author Seth Dodin has said, “People do not buy goods and services. They buy relationships, stories, and magic.” Not so long ago I experienced this magic first -hand. It’s time to share the magic with you.

I recently had the misfortune to have my checking account compromised. Not my credit card but my checking account. I didn’t know such a thing could happen but it can and did. I stopped at the bank, explained my concern to an extremely warm, personable receptionist who connected me with a specialist who handled my issue with dispatch. She transformed a “real pain” for me into a smooth transaction. How refreshing, but this story doesn’t stop here.

I have never experienced anything but outstanding service from anyone in this local bank. It’s like visiting old friends when I step into the lobby or go through my usual routine of drive-through. The story continues and builds.

I am a caregiver for an elderly lady who is afflicted with degenerating eyesight. She needed to obtain paper copies of bank statements for several past months. This would have been a significant task for her so I told her I would handle it.  I stopped at the bank and was barely in the door when I was met by a bank employee who chatted with me and asked how he could help. Having worked for a bank, I was quite sure this gentleman was not the “likely” person to help me with this issue, but knowing he could redirect me to the proper area, I told him my story. He asked for the phone number of my lady so that he could ensure that he was authorized to release that information to me. He added that he would handle the issue and let me know when he had what I needed. Within a day he efficiently delivered what he said he would deliver.

Who would have expected that the bank President & CEO would personally and proactively handle what was essentially a bookkeeping, clerical function? On reflection this was no real surprise if you know Brendon Wilkinson. He is clearly customer driven and his leadership sets the tone for the entire organization and our community. He embodies the sentiment expressed by General Colin Powell - “The most important thing I learned is that soldiers watch what their leaders do. You can give them classes and lecture them forever, but it is your personal example that will be followed.” This bank clearly meets and exceeds customer expectations. Why?  Because culture is driven from the top. Thank you, Brendon, for showing us the way.

First Community Bank is featured in this column but it is not alone in Milton. There are far too many outstanding local businesses to mention all who provide this small community shopping experience. Why would I go elsewhere?

This philosophy – Rather than lectures and classes, it is your personal example that changes behavior - holds true for all of us who live here. I invite you to join me in celebrating the great life we enjoy here in Milton. Shop local. Invite others to visit here and experience our magic. Affirm and contribute to our “magic” community culture.  After all, WE ARE MILTON!

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