Given some recent conversations I have had, I felt it was important to write this blog, realizing that it is somewhat different from most of my other posts, but I hope it makes sense, and possibly inspires you in one way or another…..

Like many people who enter the world of commerce, I left university bright eyed and bushy tailed with only a handful of contacts and the knowledge of what I had learned over the last four years. I knew there would be a long road ahead of me, and I wouldn’t get to where I am today without a little help from my friends, so to speak.

In business, it seems, that many people like to talk the talk, without necessarily walking the walk.  Many industry professionals like to talk a big game when it comes to being philanthropic, whether they donate to charities, volunteer their time every so often, or offer a helping hand to those young people up and coming in their respective fields.  Unfortunately. I have found over the years, that when contacting some of these people, what they say they are willing to do doesn’t always line up with reality.  Often times people are too busy for you, sometimes they are condescending, while others won’t even return your call.  While this is an unfortunate truth within the business world, it is not what I intend this blog to discuss.

Instead I just want to take this space to give a shout out to all of those contacts I have made over the years who have made some time for me.  From lawyers to accountants, presidents of major corporations (banks, insurance, newspapers) to owners of sports teams and hotel chains, no matter how wealthy, or important, or busy they may be, throughout my time I have found that there does exist a group of people who know the importance a wise word and helping hand can be to a self made man like myself.  It can be difficult to know where to start in the business world, and just as tough knowing where to go once you are on your feet.  It is with help from people like I have just mentioned, that got me where I am today, and hopefully where I aspire to be in the years to come.

I believe there is an old saying that reads something like…give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, but teach a man to fish you feed him for a lifetime.  To all of you who have helped me to learn how to fish…and you know who you are…thank you for your time, advice, and direction.  To others who are in a position to help out, I encourage you to teach others how to fish.

Well, it would appear that, contrary to popular belief, I can sometimes be kind of right. In one of my last posts, I discussed what I believed to be a bright future on the horizon for our nation’s beloved Canadian Tire. It would appear to me that, if my most recent visits to the store are to be any indicator, that the future is bright.

A few years ago I purchased a Mastercraft screwdriver from my local Canadian Tire. Eventually, one of the pieces managed to go missing. I cannot take all the blame, however, as the bit I was using did not properly fasten into the screwdriver. As anyone who does their fair share of handi-work knows, you’re going to need a Phillips-head screwdriver every once and a while. To solve my dilemma I went to my nearest Canadian Tire with the screwdriver and all of the bits in hand.

I arrived expecting to be put in touch with their supplier and having to wade through the many levels of bureaucratic nonsense that often accompany a task as simple as getting a replacement part. However, much to my surprise, and delight, I was informed by the first employee I approached that all Mastercraft products come with a lifetime warranty and was told to go pick out any other screw driver I wanted. I went and found another screw driver that I felt was an adequate replacement for the faulty one I was returning. The store took back the old one and gave me the new one, no questions asked, absolutely free.

Here I was, having gone in expecting to have to deal with countless customer service representatives and employees, leaving in a fraction of the time I had expected. Once again, within weeks of my last visit, I had gone into a Canadian Tire expecting a headache and instead left having one of the most pleasant customer service experiences I’ve had in a while. So thank you Canadian Tire for not driving me ‘screwy’ and doing your ‘bit’!

Canadian Tire

1019 Sheppard Avenue East

Willowdale, ON M2K 1C2

(416) 226-4411

Like the majority of Canadians I am no stranger to the wondrous sights and sounds that accompany the semi-weekly trip to my favourite, neighbourhood Canadian Tire. And like anyone who has ever been to a Canadian Tire, or even just spoken to a Canadian, I am more than familiar with the rhetoric that surrounds ‘Crappy Tires’, as they’re so often referred to. However, I have fortunately been given reason to believe that change is, indeed, in the air!

Three years ago, I purchased a barbecue and matching cover, for my office, from my nearest Canadian Tire store. After a year of protecting our new barbecue, the cover was cracked and broken. I returned to the store with the cover and was able to exchange it for another one. After another year had passed, the new barbecue cover also needed to be replaced.At this point I was becoming slightly annoyed, after all, what good is a barbecue cover that can’t protect itself?

I phoned Canadian Tire’s customer service line, slightly dismayed, expecting to receive an offer for another cover that I knew would again last twelve months tops. Instead, I was informed that the covers I had been receiving were faulty and was told that in a few months they would be getting a new supplier. The employee assured me that when this new product came in I would get, free of charge, a brand new cover. As if that were not enough, the company was sending me a $75 gift certificate to spend on a temporary cover in the meantime. I was pleasantly surprised to say the least.

The people have spoken and Canadian Tire has listened; I am optimistic that change has come to Canadian Tire for the best. So, from barbecues to boats Canadian Tire has got you covered!

Canadian Tire
2180 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M4S 1B9
1(866)746-7287