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The Fred Factor: How Passion in Your Work and Life Can Turn the Ordinary into the Extraordinary
 
 
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The Fred Factor: How Passion in Your Work and Life Can Turn the Ordinary into the Extraordinary [Hardcover]

Mark Sanborn (Author), John C. Maxwell (Foreword)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (111 customer reviews)

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More from Mark Sanborn
Mark Sanborn's bestselling business books teach ordinary people how to achieve extraordinary things in all aspects of life. Visit Amazon's Mark Sanborn Page.

Book Description

April 20, 2004

Meet Fred.

In his powerful new book The Fred Factor, motivational speaker Mark Sanborn recounts the true story of Fred, the mail carrier who passionately loves his job and who genuinely cares about the people he serves. Because of that, he is constantly going the extra mile handling the mail – and sometimes watching over the houses – of the people on his route, treating everyone he meets as a friend. Where others might see delivering mail as monotonous drudgery, Fred sees an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those he serves.

We’ve all encountered people like Fred in our lives. In The Fred Factor, Mark Sanborn illuminates the simple steps each of us can take to transform our own lives from the ordinary – into the extraordinary. Sanborn, through stories about Fred and others like him, reveals the four basic principles that will help us bring fresh energy and creativity to our life and work: how to make a real difference everyday, how to become more successful by building strong relationships, how to create real value for others without spending a penny, and how to constantly reinvent yourself.

By following these principles, and by learning from and teaching other “Freds,” you, too, can excel in your career and make your life extraodinary. As Mark Sanborn makes clear, each of us has the potential be a Fred.The Fred Factor shows you how.


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Editorial Reviews

Review

The Fred Factor is a powerful, poignant parable of success. It’s about going the extra mile and always doing more than is expected. It is revolutionary, yet simple. It is life changing.”
--Brian Tracy, author of Focal Point and Goals: How to Get Everything You Want—Faster Than You Ever Thought Possible

About the Author

MARK SANBORN is an international known author, motivational speaker, and the president of Sanborn & Associates, Inc., an idea studio for leadership development. He gives nearly one hundred presentations each year on leadership, team building, customer service, and mastering change. Mark and his family live near Denver, Colorado.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 112 pages
  • Publisher: Currency; 1st edition (April 20, 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0385513518
  • ISBN-13: 978-0385513517
  • Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.7 x 7.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (111 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,472 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am a Buckeye and now live in the Denver area! I was born in Ohio, grew up on a farm and graduated cum laude from The Ohio State University but I love the Rocky Mountains. My business, Sanborn & Associates, Inc. is an idea studio for leadership development. I am a past president of The National Speakers Association. My book The Fred Factor was a WSJ, Business Week and NY Times bestseller. I have spoken to over 2400 audiences in every state and nearly a dozen countries. My passion is developing leaders. whether or not they have a title (which is why I wrote You Don't Need a Title to be a Leader). In 2007 I was the recipient of the Cavett Award. I hope you enjoy my work as much as I enjoy writing it. I enjoy communicating with readers and sharing ideas, so please contact me at mark@marksanborn.com.


Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This short book focuses on a mailman Mark Sanborn met, a man named Fred. When the author first met Fred, Fred took an effort to get to know his new customer, and find ways to do a better job as a mailman. This book about the value of doing a better job, how to build relationships, and why we should take initiative. In short by going the extra mile we'll have a better life, and others will benefit.

It is a good book, and a short book. It is well written. The book is entertaining and at the same time makes many good points.

The first of four sections covers how the author met Fred the mailman, and how very quickly the author realized that Fred was a superstar mail carrier. The basics of what a "Fred" is are explored, and then the author mentions sightings of other "Freds."

The second section explains how you can become a Fred. Basically you need to build relationships with others so you know them well enough to then be able to be create, take initiative and make a difference.

The third section gives pointers on how you can help others grow into being Freds. The basic steps are to:

1) Find - how do you recognize a Fred

2) Reward - how should Freds be rewarded

3) Educate - how help people improve their Fredness

4) Demonstrate - model the correct behavior

The final section recounts the value and importance of being a Fred.

This is a book worth reading. It provides a good reminder and motivation to go the extra mile and do a better job.
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25 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By Paul
Format:Hardcover
Ever had a waiter ask, "Somethin' to drink?" while you look at your menu? How about a hotel clerk that says "Help you" like a question or a secretary who says "may I ask what this is in reference to?" when you try to call someone? The fact is, we hear so many monotone responses so often that "excuse me" "nice to meet you" and "have a nice day" seem to have no meaning at all. But then there's Fred, the guy who looks you in the eye, goes the extra mile, and adds a personal touch to the service he provides you. In today's ever-so-competitive markets, you'd think the personal touch approach would be second nature. The thing is, it's not, and this probably won't change. Sanborn isn't trying to teach clever people a shortcut--he's simply trying to remind us that genuine effort and a personal approach will never go out of style.
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28 of 34 people found the following review helpful
The HEART of business. August 25, 2004
Format:Hardcover
What I love about The Fred Factor is that it counters the notion that to succeed in business means somehow abandoning your values. Mark Sanborn makes a case that success in business, or life, for that matter, is a matter of embracing the values of service, caring, and doing the right thing. This is a book that should be standard issue for every employee of every company. Outstanding!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great Thoughts on Doing the Ordinary Things in Extraordinary Ways
I am the director of a small nonprofit agency. I spend each day serving both my team and also clients that come in to receive services. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Adam Teer
What a tool! My child could write this
Had the misfortune to sit through this authors canned motivational speech recently. He is a total throwback to the eighties, dress, mannerisms, material. Read more
Published 2 months ago by K. Puryear
Fred Factor Reviews...?
I purchased this book based on the great reviews and the promising title. Reading is a passion of mine and usually once I start a book I finish it quickly, but this has been a... Read more
Published 3 months ago by P. Odom
The Fred Factor
Excellent book. This book and "Fred" were introduced to me at a job. They were using it as part of their morning trainings. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Onlyonecent
A modern classic.
Most avid readers have a few books that they return to several times so they can experience the pleasure of reading it again. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Monty Rainey
Great book
This is a motivating book and is a good read for anyone in sales or customer service. No matter what your vocation, this book will encourage you to be your best with your... Read more
Published 8 months ago by cindi porter
Great Short Read
This book got straight to the point.What I got from it was whatever you do do
it to the best of your ability. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Christopher Shaw
Extraordinary
I was so tired of average, hum drum or mediocre in every aspect of living. Life and living can be extraordinary. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Jim L
Required reading for company- so glad it was!!!
The Fred Factor by Mark Sanborn was required/suggested reading for an upcoming corporate meeting. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself interested in this book and in fact... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Dennis K Ellington
The Fred Factor Should be Read by Everyone Interested in Leadership...
I love this book! What a fresh approach to leadership, customer service, and personal growth! I cannot imagine a person in any field, whether it be raising a family, organizing a... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Kelly Croy
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