Lunchmeat & Life Lessons: Sharing a Butcher's Wisdom

by Mary B. Lucas

PRIME CUT ADVICE.
John Bichelmeyer dispensed much more than ground beef and bacon to his customers. A man with only an eighth-grade education and father of 10 children, he offered rare wisdom and compassion to his clientele, friends and family that came from the heart.
Now his daughter, Mary B. Lucas, B.D., tells the story of how she earned her B.D. (which stands for "butcher's daughter") by spending hours at the butcher-block table in the family kitchen, listening to her father's stories about how he achieved success by making deep connections with the people around him. In turn, Mary used her father's advice to find the passion and perseverance to rise to the top of the staffing industry.
As John used to say, "Remember to put the `comeback sauce' on everyone you meet." In Lunch Meat & Life Sharing a Butcher's Wisdom, Mary offers a healthy dose of that sauce, which will empower everyone who reads this book to reach their full potential.

136 pages, Paperback

First published December 7, 2006

Reviews

[Shelby B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short book with great little life lessons! Also like that she was from KC. Her relationship with her dad reminded me of me and my dad who I love so much and who is very wise 😌 Thank you David Smith for having me read this lol

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm glad I watched the TED talk by Mary before reading this book. Her sincerity comes through which lends credibility to the principles and stories she writes. I appreciate that at the end of the book she has a workbook to apply the lessons, which I'd like to use soon.

[Mariah Karley Oster · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was full of wonderful lessons. I read this for a women in engineering group at my company and this was so inspiring. I really felt like I got to know Mary’s dad and I shed a couple of tears at the end of this book. Not something I expected from the genre. All in all, I will keep this and reread it every year to make sure I am applying these concepts. Thank you for writing, Mary.

[Kay Janssen · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this book! Odd title at first, until you read it. We read this for work, and at first wasn't excited to add yet another book to my never ending pile. But this really impressed me! To me it's the ultimate book for understanding customer service & employee relations, with a HEART! As soon as I started reading I knew it was right up my alley, my style of not only customer service, but treating people in general. It's got great principles tied in with the author's personal journey and words of wisdom from her dad - a Kansas City butcher. GO READ IT! Short and sweet and totally worth it.

[Michelle Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book after hearing Mrs Lucas speak today. Finished it in no time but took so much from it. The lessons can be applied to any interaction in life and make sense! This will be one I go back to over and over for inspiration. Highly recommend for everyone who ever interacts with people!

[Larissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Half way done, only read for an hour. A great read for any one who deals with people. HA! It's a great book for dealing with or getting better results with co-workers.


Finished in one night! A must read!!!

[Sara Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book itself is great, but if you get a chance to hear the author speak (Lucas), do. I read this after seeing her at a conference and it really personalized the stories - made me want to run out and interview my grandparents so I can capture their nuggets of wisdom before it's too late!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was an amazing book- a woman's tribute to her father. he taught her traditional midwest values and she has grown to be a wonderful woman who is an inspiration to all professional women.

[Kelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read. Good life lessons.

[Linda Barlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I attended a speaking engagement of Mary's. Her eloquence in speaking and dynamic presentation, lead me to purchase the book (monies went to the Amer.Heart Assoc.)

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short book that has a great message! Nice that it has local roots as well!

[Paige Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have a job, any job, you should invest in this book. I have given it to all my direct reports; and I use the information regularly.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

[Dustie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you never read another book about customer management and how to keep your customers, read this. The lessons are invaluable and it's so easy to read and understand.

[Pam Berkovitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book, especially for people in the staffing industry.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great tips on dealing with people. Heard Mary Lucas speak and she is inspiring!

[cati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this in our Marketing closet at the bank. Well written, great advice that I will use! A sweet legacy from this author to her father.

[Morgan Isern · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is short and sweet, but absolutely packed with lessons for life and business that will leave you thinking. I’m not usually an audiobook person, but after hearing Mary B. Lucas speak in-person at a conference I knew that I needed more of her enthusiasm and passion - I wasn’t disappointed. Though many of these principles may seem elementary, I think that’s exactly what people need - to get back to the basics, simplify, and be good to one another. In work and at home alike, it’s going to serve you well. Thank you Mary for capturing your dad’s wisdom so well and for sharing it with the world!

[Laura Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read. I found myself intrigued and lost in the stories within the book, however the lessons became "mundane." It felt formula - author has problem at work, seeks dad's advice, dad gives a story and advice, author tells how the advice was applied to work.
That being said, I dont want to take anything away from the fact that this is a great family tribute, that the author and her family should be very proud of. It just wasn't quite was I was looking for.

[Eric Rosa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe just not for me. A sweet memoir of a good man, yes. But unrealistic optimism isn't great life advice, and it can smack of condescension as a result.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second time I have read this book- and it is just as inspiring as the first read. I want everyone in my office to have a copy!

[Dov · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a great book that shares lessons that one needs to learn if your goal is to work with people efficiently.

[Anna Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book I had to read for work, I liked it

[Katie Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the great pleasure of attending Mary's seminar at K-State. I enjoyed her two hour presentation on lunch meat and life lessons that I requested it from the Manhattan Public Library immediately so I could experience the whole journey. It is a great, short read and each lesson was extremely helpful to me! I work in the people business and from time to time struggle in being my best self and making my coworkers, bosses and companies proud. I plan on referring to each life lesson from the Mr. John Bichelmeyer each day for the rest of my life. Thank you so much Mary for giving everyone a part of yourself and your father so that we could all be our best self!

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #36 for 2013

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simply inspirational book of great life lessons.

[Rhiannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the most well written book ever, but it's short and to the point.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and easy to understand concepts. I find myself inadvertently referencing the book at work without realizing it. The stories she shares with her father are applicable to a lot of situations and helps give application to a lot of the concepts.