KANSAS CITY, MO.—Greg Musselman, a salesman for Big Bob’s Flooring Outlet in Shawnee and who served as a mentor to all he came in contact with, passed away from a massive heart attack Nov. 29. He was 63.
In just three years with the company, Musselman proved to be quite a talented and prolific salesman. “[Big Bob’s] transferred him to other stores, and in every store to which he was assigned shortly became the No. 1 salesperson,” said Warren Tyler, author of FCNews’ “Salesmanship” column. “Greg loved people and people loved him. No one taught him this; it was just Greg.
“He was one of those rare people who intrinsically understood what it took. I call it ‘knowing without knowing.’ People liked him and, therefore, trusted him. Greg was the epitome of what I try to teach every salesperson. He was a natural.”
David Elyachar, a.k.a. “Big Bob,” agreed with Tyler and credited Musselman with teaching him about customer service. “Greg was about taking the words ‘customer service’ and transforming them into actual action and a belief system. He had a contagious, upbeat personality. I’m sure there are a lot of people who knew him better, loved him more, but I can only speak to what he meant to me. Over the past few years, Greg became my moral compass. He taught me to always try and do the right things, regardless of the inconvenience or price, peer pressure or conventional practice. “Greg not only taught us; he truly lived each and every day with his own golden rule—treat everyone as good as you could only dream of being treated. Without trying, but with many heartfelt conversations, Greg became my mentor, a wise and trusted teacher and counselor.
“Partly in memory of Greg,” Elyachar concluded, “partly because of the influence he has had on my two sons, and partly because it’s just good business, I’m encouraging all of us to include W.W.G.M.D. (What Would Greg Musselman Do?) in our customer service statement.”
Musselman is survived by his father; brother, Mike; sister Patty; and three nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks contributions be made to the American Heart Association, 6800 W. 93rd St., Overland Park, KS 66212
