Author – Breakthrough Retailing, How a bleeding orange culture can change everything!
December 17, 2024
Achievement — Delta Lifetime 360 Degree Membership – All It Takes Is 5 Million Miles! On a recent flight to South Africa, the Delta pilot came back to the passenger cabin to introduce himself to me. He wanted to meet the passenger that had more miles than he did!
Milestones – Yes, I have traveled over 5 million miles with Delta – but the more important milestone is celebrating 61 years of marriage to my wonderful wife, Sue. So, perhaps the old saying is true – “Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder”! Of course all this is possible by living 81 years!
The Journeys – These many miles were due to my travel schedule during my 13 year career at The Home Depot and then the 25 years of international consulting with my clients – Komeri in Japan, HomeWay in China, Bunnings in Australia, Sodimac in South America, Cemaco in Central America and Hornbach in Europe. It was by traveling and meeting face to face that these clients that my business clients became much more — Special Friends!
Private Planes – When I joined The Home Depot in 1983, most of our stores were in the Southeast U.S. and Eastern Airlines was a major airline in the region. Frank Borman was the CEO of Eastern Airlines and also on our Home Depot Board of Directors. I recall a meeting with Frank Borman where my job was to explain that while we loved traveling on his Eastern Airlines, we really needed to buy two Home Depot corporate jets so we would not have to! Not an easy task — but we did get the jets!
Private Plane Adventure – I remember flying on our Home Depot private jet from New York to Toronto with our President, Arthur Blank and our CFO, Ron Brill. About halfway to Toronto our right engine blew up and disintegrated! The noise and the turbulence was terrifying. We continued our flight to Toronto flying at about a 45 degree list to one side and landed in a Canadian snowstorm: A truly white knuckle flight! Our plans were to visit some of our stores in Canada and also to attend a World Series baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and the Toronto Blue Jays. Well, we lost the plane and the ballgame!
Recollections – The many miles in the air have been times of reading, completing presentations, blue sky thinking, and sometimes praying. These were all quiet times I found important in my busy career.
2025? – For the first half on next year I am already booked on two domestic and two international Delta flights – Up, Up, and Away!