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Questions and Answers
What degree did the narrator earn from Kansas State University?
What was the narrator's initial plan after graduating from college?
How did the narrator react upon receiving the job offer?
Where was the narrator when they received the call about the job?
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What was the narrator's father's reaction to the news of the job?
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What profession did the narrator's father practice?
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Which job was the narrator excited about before the discussion with her father?
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What key point did the father emphasize regarding success in the people business?
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How did the narrator feel about being the first child to break the family tradition of blue-collar jobs?
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What advice did the father give the narrator about employees when he opened his meat market?
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What was the main concern for the father in the story regarding his new business?
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How did the father decide to compete against his rivals?
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What realization did the narrator have about the office setup on their first day?
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What lesson did the father impart about making a good impression?
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What motivated the narrator to change their approach on the first day of work?
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Study Notes
Graduating & the First Job
- The story begins in May 1980, three days after the narrator graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications.
- The narrator, Mary, planned to work temporarily until she got married and had children.
- After graduation, Mary returned home and applied for a temporary job at an employment agency.
- Mary was offered a job at the agency helping others find jobs.
Butcher's Wisdom & Family
- Mary's father, John, was a butcher and had a large family with eight siblings before Mary.
- John was a big man and worked in the stockyards before opening his own meat market.
- Mary was the first of John's children to have a job in an office.
John's Advice
- John advised Mary to "show 'em what you're made of".
- He explained that in his business, "the first hunk of meat you sell is yourself".
- John shared his story of competition, the challenges of starting his business and how he was able to overcome them.
Applying Dad's Advice
- Mary applied her father's advice on her first day at the employment agency.
- Initially, applicants couldn't see her, as the office had a solid wall with a sliding glass window for applications.
- Mary recognized the contrast between the way her father welcomed customers at his shop and the impersonal approach at the agency.
- Mary took initiative during lunch and moved her desk to be more visible, greeting applicants with a smile and personal attention.
Lessons in Customer Service
- The text highlights the importance of personal interactions and customer service in business.
- The author suggests that businesses should prioritize relationships and customer satisfaction over cost-cutting measures.
- Companies should learn from the "Butcher's Wisdom" and focus on building relationships and providing exceptional customer experiences.
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Description
Explore the journey of Mary, a recent journalism graduate, as she navigates her first job amidst familial wisdom. Learn about her father's advice and the lessons drawn from his experience as a butcher. This quiz delves into themes of career beginnings, family influence, and personal growth.
