The 44-cent solution

Tom Peters calls it "the pursuit of wow." Seth Godin calls it being "remarkable." None of us do it enough — which is why it's so spectacular when we see it in action.

Case in point: Sunday night at the J.W. Marriott in Phoenix. I've got a letter to mail, but no stamps. So I go to the front desk and the following conversation ensues:

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ME: Is there a place in the hotel where I can buy a stamp?

MARRIOTT PERSON (pointing to my letter): I'll take it for you.

ME (handing her the letter and taking...