Vacation Reflections

If you read last week’s post you already know that today marks the end of my vacation. Bar Harbor, Maine, and the surrounding area proved to be a perfect place for a relaxing getaway. The lifetime memories promised by the chamber of commerce website lived up to even my cynical expectations. Being immersed in a place of such natural beauty was simply an amazing experience and one that I hope to repeat someday.

My experiment with no social media and limited email access proved largely successful, although one client email did require a response. The attempt to disconnect from work was easier than I had imagined. Now my weekly ritual of blog writing marks the first time I have reflected much about business since I left home more than a week ago. Let me share a few observations from the trip.

The pristine beauty of Maine’s coastline remains etched in my memory. The shore waters were clear and cold, the air was crisp and clean. For the hundreds of Maine residents who call Mount Desert Island home, the images I experienced may easily be taken for granted. The many entrepreneurs whose small businesses serve the 4 million annual visitors to the area surely aren’t among them. They understand the value of customer service and worked hard to make us feel welcome on our trip.

There was Tim Adelmann, the owner of Adelmann’s Deli and Grill, who not only cooked the food for a very late lunch but regaled us with stories about the area, his colorful career, and his family. Besides enjoying sandwiches, some unbelievably tasty onion rings, and ice cream, we left feeling like we had made a new friend. Our cottage owner and hostess, Kathy Combs, took time to acclimate us to the area when we first checked in and was always available to answer questions or assist us during our stay.

Although we didn’t meet other proprietors in the same way, their influence was felt through well-trained staff. There was the attentive waitress at The Chart Room, the engaging driver and guide for our carriage ride to Day Mountain Summit, and the naturalist who entertained us on our sunset nature cruise. It was easy to observe that these employees really enjoyed their work. Somewhere in the background was a leader who made this happen by hiring well and providing excellent training.

As someone who admires the entrepreneurial spirit that is the engine of our economy, I couldn’t help but notice how these Bar Harbor businesses contributed to my memorable vacation. Their attention to customer needs, focus on quality, and commitment to employee training have made them successful in spite of the considerable obstacles they all face. I’m hoping many of them will find time during the off-season to relax themselves.