Mr. Vaden has a special gift. Everyone who meets him has experienced the magic. His hand springs out, he looks you in the eye and he smiles - exuding genuine warmth. When he was at work, he absolutely loved it. He loved being with people, talking with people....pleasing people. And that's what he thought running a business was all about; pleasing people.
In contrast, there is a store here in town that is run by the most miserable people. On the occasions that I have visited, there is an absence of warmth. They are not happy to see me. They are not happy to help me. They are not even happy when I buy something from them. Maybe it's me? But it's not. Too many people have shared similar impressions. I wish them luck; they could take a lesson from Dan.
Pleasing people for the sake of good business. What does it take to accomplish this simple task? That's the million dollar question and there are a million different answers. But, there's a theme that Mr. Vaden has ingrained in his businesses, a manner of approach that has always served both customers and employees alike. The Extra Mile.
We have known it by several names over the years; "the right thing","the Vaden way","under-promise, over-deliver" and others. While sometimes it is difficult to explain our special culture to a potential employee, maybe the best definition of going the extra mile comes from author Napoleon Hill: Render more and better services than that for which you are paid, and sooner or later you will receive compound interest on compound interest from your investment. For it is inevitable that every seed of useful service you sow will multiply itself and come back to you in overwhelming abundance. Put your mind to work. Access your ability and energy. Who could use help? How can you help? It doesn't take money...all it takes in ingenuity and a strong desire to be of genuine service. Helping others to solve their problems will help you solve your own. The most successful people are those who serve the greatest number of people.
Choosing The Extra Mile as a slogan for the Vaden Automotive Group was really very simple. It was already a way of life for our business, we just needed the right words to convey our every day actions. Every day, every month and every year, we are fond of saying, "There is no finish line", and in our business of providing for our customers and employees, it never is. There is always the extra mile.
Peter Thacher
Vice President
Vaden Automotive Group
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