I saw a great quote on a different thread (I think it was in a discussion about getting quality wool kilts vs. the less expensive PV kilts). I forget who provided it, but they said they had seen it on signs on the production floor of a small manufacturing company. Here's the quote:

"There is nothing that cannot be made more cheaply by cutting corners on quality; and the person who only considers price is this man's lawful prey."

Wow, what a great quote! It hit me smack dab in the middle of my forehead because that's the way I try to approach things at home when it comes to repairs and hiring someone to do work. It is also the approach we take at work, because, frankly, we are not the cheapest option in our market. We make an effort to provide quality product and the best customer service we can offer. I think it is a good formula.

[Get on with it!]

So anyway, I thought it was such a great quote that I e-mailed it to our CEO and told him I pulled it off of a kilt-wearer's forum I frequent where it came up in the discussion of whether to spend the money on a higher-quality wool kilt or a less-expensive PV kilt. I ended the e-mail by telling him my first kilt was wool and from Scotland.

His reply:

Ethan,
Always good to hear from you.
I love the quote, and because our organization is not the low cost provider, it is something that hits home.
Thanks for being on the look-out for wisdom that helps us stay true to our culture.
Take good care
Vern
PS do kilts qualify for shorts in our casual work environment?

When I first started at this company, we were just coming off of shirt-and-tie business attire five days a week. Seven years later, we have men wearing shorts and sandals to work between Memorial Day and Labor Day - I think that is great progress and though I've been tempted to bring it up, I've not wanted to push the envelope too far too fast by broaching the kilt subject with HR.

But I see this as a foot in the door... so I immediately replied to Vern:

Look for this discussion next June!

Then I called my wife, all giddy like a school girl...