For Joe Matuk, Mac Tools distributor, from Park Forest, Illinois, treating people the way you want to be treated and making sure to show up every week to talk to everybody are not the only tactics that make him effective.
Matuk found early on that he had become more like a friend or a family member, not just someone his customers did business with. On numerous occasions he’ll be invited to parties, birthdays, even weddings. And when he was going through a tough time in his personal life, Matuk found out just how much he means to his customers.
“Guys could tell there was something wrong - I was not myself,” he says. “It was just so heartwarming how guys cared, and came up and hugged me. ‘Hey Joe, how’s it going?’ and, ‘Just hang in there, you’ll get through it.’ It was amazing. It was nice to know I was not just their tool guy, I was their friend.”
“I love what I do,” he says. “I’ve met a lot of good people - I’ve made a lot of good friends doing this.”
About the Author
David Brierley
Editor | Fleet Maintenance
David Brierley is the editor of Fleet Maintenance magazine.
Brierley’s education and career have been based in the publishing industry. He is an award-winning writer and comes from a background in automotive, trucking, and heavy equipment. Brierley joined the Endeavor Business Media vehicle repair group in 2017 as managing editor for Fleet Maintenance, PTEN, and Professional Distributor magazines, as well as VehicleServicePros.com. In his current role, he writes for and oversees production of Fleet Maintenance magazine. He has worked in the publishing industry since 2011.