“The Fred Factor” is a book written by Mark Sanborn.It’s a beautifully written book which emphasizes on how easy it is, for human beings to provide extraordinary service to others and yet most of us fail to do so. The author talks about Fred, his postal carrier who has lot of zeal and creativity. Though in his job as a postman, he could hardly get recognition from his employer, he was always keen about providing service out of his way to his customers. He took special care of each and every customer of his and the author happened to be one of them. When he was new to the place where Fred was a post man, Fred came and introduced himself to Mark, welcomed him to his new neighborhood, understood his schedule and delivered his posts accordingly. Not only this, Fred gave him useful inputs about how burglars watch the piling up mails and come to know that there is no one at home and loot the house. The author, so impressed with his way, termed this positive behavior as The Fred Factor after which many organizations started Fred awards.
The author after meeting Fred started observing Fred like behavior in people he met. Some of the experiences really helped me understand what this behavior is. He says once he unfortunately did not have enough money for his travel when he went out of station for some presentation. An unknown person comforted him and gave money that was more than his requirement. The author was a stranger to that man. He was not aware if he would get it back. Yet he helped the author out of his way. Mark Sanborn later says that he sent the money back to him promptly as soon as he reached his place. Mark calls this behavior of the stranger as Fred like behavior.
Another time, Mark was in a travel with one set of good clothes other than the one that he was wearing. It was night time and he had to wait in a hotel to board his flight till morning in the airport. Something spilled over on his dress and no laundry service was available at that time. While he checked with a lady who was working there, she readily offered to take it home and bring it the following morning. Next day, she brought his dress not only after wash but also neatly pressed. He saw another Fred in her.
SO FRIENDS LET US BE ANOTHER "FRED" AND HELP THE SOCIETY.
