The Trash Truck Follow-Up

Every Sunday we go eat lunch at my dad’s house.

My son loves the trash truck…

Can anyone relate with their kids?

We didn’t know that the trash truck went out on Sunday’s…

Until one day.

We spotted him, he passed right by us around the corner from my dad’s house after we were grabbing a coffee.

My wife and I thought to ourselves, no way.

So we chased him, had a brief encounter with the guy, friendly as all can be, made my son’s day, as it always does…

Little did I know, this trash truck run was about to teach me the simplest, most powerful sales follow-up lesson.

Over the next several months the times that we went over for lunch fluctuated for a combination of reasons until about a month ago, we saw the big blue truck, YET AGAIN!

And of course WE. FOLLOWED. HIM.

Same guy, even though it had been so long the previous interaction was a distance memory by now BUT HERE’S THE FOLLOW UP LESSON…

This time we pulled right in front of him rolled the back window down so my son could see those large front forks of the truck assume the position big that big smelly dumpster up and dump dump dump the goods…

The shit that you start to do for your kids, who woulda thought!

Anywho, the driver pulled up next to us as we said hello got a few horn honks exchaning a few words back and forth but after we made a comment that when we come to lunch on this side of town and we see you we chase you for me son because he loves the trash truck…to which the guy says, well I come same time everytime so if you are here next week and find me I’ll bring your son something.

Cool!!

So we did just that, we know that next week, we were on a mission, we had orders, we believed, we didn’t know if we would catch/miss him but if you’re with me this far, the next week, WE SPOTTED HIM AGAIN!

Rolled up on him like we were making a bust!

And out of his mouth came, “AH, you guys didn’t forget but I forgot!!!!”

Meaning we were committed to the mission but he had other stuff that came up in which we were not the priority that day, and were forgotten about.

No republic services gear for my son that day.

Another week, he forgets again!

Wow!!

Now, we’re thinking if only we keep coming back, at some point he will not forget and that special Sunday before he gets in his truck he is going to think about my son and that bag of goodies he promised him if we make it serious enough to keep showing up at some point he will remember!

Ok Ok Ok…

It’s Sunday, two days ago, we left kidstrong class on the other side of town drove all the way over to my dads side of town and as we are exiting the freeway and passing the first main street, I look to my right and I see the big truck driving!!!!

SPOTTED!!!

Veered to the right hit a hard right turn, go zig zaggin through the parking lots and pull up on my man! Park the car take a look at him right as he moves a big dumpster, he sees us and screams…I DIDN’T FORGET ABOUT YOU THIS TIME!!! I GOTCHA!

Gets in his truck, pulls out a bag and starts to walk over to us, I got outta the car to shake his hand, let my son out of his car seat to say hello and the man, might I add this guy is one of the best and most spirited men I’ve ever met, name is Lamar.

He bends down to show my son this bag full of goods.

A hat, a coloring book, 2 puzzles, 2 wristbands, an invite for a tour…just epic.

From what?

Follow up.

Our follow up.

To make it something that he said but wouldnt forget.

Most people would stop the hunt.

Stop showing up week after week and make it a wash.

Not us.

We had our mission.

A reason. My kids joy.

A commitment.

Too many weak ass parents would set a piss poor example and quit on a simple but powerful and profound truth…

That they might not always take you that seriously in the beginning.

BUT…if you keep showing up, keep persistenting.

You get the reward.

And let me tell you watching the joy from our son, was all the reward we need to hold on to in our minds long before we had that moment in our hands.

So here’s my challenge to you this week…

Where in your pipeline have you given up too soon?

Keep showing up.

The reward is coming.

Happy hunting everyone.

See ya next week follow up fam!

Manny “That Follow Up Guy” Vargas