Make My Day - Make Their Day

Movie Trivia quiz: What character, played by what actor, in what movie used the phrase, "Go ahead, make my day"?

If you said, "Dirty Harry," played by Clint Eastwood in the movie Sudden Impact you would likely be in the majority. Unfortunately, you would be wrong. It was a Hollywood vice cop played by Gary Swanson, who first spoke the line in the movie Vice Squad. It was Clint Eastwood playing Dirty Harry, however, in the film Sudden Impact that made the line a household phrase. It became so famous that President Ronald Reagan declared, "I have my veto pen drawn and ready for any tax increase that Congress might even think of sending up. And I have only one thing to say to the tax increases. Go ahead: make my day."

Taking the concept of creating a feeling of happiness or satisfaction, many businesses have now incorporated the idea of making one's day into their business plan. They build in strategies to interact with their employees to make their day a little bit better. Businesses have found if employees are happy and satisfied, they are engaged and productive. Employees who have their day made will be eager to come to work and will stay loyal to the company. Companies that strive to focus on their employees find the time and effort expended is reimbursed to them by better attitudes and increased productivity.

Some businesses have expanded the concept of making one's day to include the consumer experience. The Home Depot and Macy's are two stores I am familiar with that strive to make their customers' shopping experiences better. I will often visit The Home Depot just to walk around and take in the sights, sounds and smells of the store. There is something about walking through the lumber aisle that refreshes me. Lately, I've noticed I haven't been able to browse more than a single aisle without a store employee asking me how they can help, what I am looking for or if I am having a good day.

Macy's is a store I walk through in order to get to the food court. Recently, I have been greeted by numerous store employees who smile, ask me how I'm doing and if they can help me find anything. I asked the lady behind the perfume bottle if she could help me find a hamburger, and she pointed to the food court. Now, that made my day.

Guys, Valentine's Day is coming -- fast. I know it's another gift-giving day -- and right after Christmas to boot, but maybe this year we can take a cue from The Home Depot and make the day for our Valentine. Now, we don't need to go overboard, but we do need to put a little thought into the gift. The traditional gifts of candy, flowers and jewelry are nice to be sure, but maybe you need to look for that one-of-a-kind, special gift that only you can give.

That's right. There are some wives (rare as they might be) who really appreciate hockey tickets, gift cards for a hardware store or lumber mill or even front-row seats at the local tractor pull.

Hey, if it makes their day -- why not?

May your Valentine's Day find your unorthodox gift rewarded by a woman who thinks outside the box.