How can you change someone’s attitude?

Out of stock

Out of stock

In a word? Try frustrated.

Somebody calls. They need something. But their regular store doesn’t carry it. The customer complains to us. . . . like we can do anything about it. We don’t own that other store. We don’t place the orders. We don’t know their customers. The owner of that store doesn’t value their customers the way we do. Sounds like they have the wrong attitude toward customer service.

Sure wish something could be done . . .

Wait a minute . . . We can do something about it. While we can’t change the attitude of the other business, we can change the way their customer looks at us.

In the words of Mighty Mouse, “Here I come to save the day!”

We will be happy to get that product for you.

We will go out of our way to earn your business.

We will make you feel special.

We need you that much!

If the other store won’t change their attitude, we’ll influence yours.

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Posted in Attitude, Customers for Life, Exceed Expectations, Extra Mile, It's All About the Customer | 3 Comments

What do you expect?

Excellent

Excellent

As a business owner, what do you expect from your customer? As a customer, what do you expect from a business? At some time, we all are a customer of someone.

Thanks to Lee Cockerell, former Executive Vice President of Operations for the Walt Disney World Resort, for today’s post.

Disney has four Guest Expectations:

  1. Make me feel special.
  2. Treat me as an individual.
  3. Respect my children (and me).
  4. Have knowledgeable Cast Members

As a leader, are your employees trained well enough to exceed your customers expectations with these expectations in mind?

After all, it’s how we expect to be treated.

What do you expect?

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PS. Lee also has a great iPhone app, Creating Magic. It will give you a daily dose of excellence.

 

Posted in Expectations, Leadership, Lee Cockerell | 1 Comment

No decision is still a decision

Decisions

Decisions

Today, I have some decisions to make. These are going to be tough because a lot of people are going to be affected by the choices that are made.

But I can’t. Because I don’t want to take responsibility. I’ll just put it off, blaming my parents for the way they raised me. Or I’ll blame my boss because of the rules of my job. Or I’ll come up with some other excuse instead of . . . owning my decisions.

So instead of taking a risk, I’ll not make any decisions at all. I’ll just play it safe.

But wait . . . that’s a decision too. Deciding to do nothing is still a decision.

I can’t get away from making decisions!!!!!

Neither can you.

RESPONSIBILITY is defined as “the ability or authority to act or decide on one’s own, without supervision.” (Thank you dictionary.com.)

If you’re still thinking about yesterday’s post, go ahead and make that decision. Understand the impact. But don’t choose indecision!

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Posted in Decision | 7 Comments

Write this down

Write this down

Write this down

Today’s lesson requires a little work on your part.

Take out a piece of paper and something to write with.

Think of a decision you are about to make. It can be about the next person you are going to hire. It can be any other business expenditure. It can be a career change or it can be about where to eat.

Write down that decision at the top of your paper.

Now, write down the names of all the people that will be affected by your decision. Don’t write in generalities. List the first and last names of all the people impacted, directly or indirectly. They can be in any order.

I’ll wait while you compose your list . . . .

and wait . . . .

and wait . . . .

Still writing? Don’t let me interrupt you . . . .

Please take your time. You need to be as thorough as possible on this.

Are you finished? Do you need more paper?

Hope you’re getting the seriousness of this exercise and not just the sarcasm. If we looked at every decision we make with this exercise in mind, we probably would make better decisions.

So the next time you’re asked to make a decision, get out your pen and paper (mentally anyway).

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Posted in Bottom Line, Business Decision, Choices, Decision, Employees, Job | 6 Comments

The bottom line

Right fit for bottom line

Right fit for bottom line

If you caught the reference in yesterday’s post, congratulations.

If not, allow me to repeat it here.

“Big time applicants can compromise your bottom line.”

Suffice it to say that choosing the right person for the right position is a big undertaking. A structured interview process helps determine whether an applicant will be suitable for a role within your company. And if they don’t fit, let them know up front.

When your customers interact with you, they’re not interacting with the lighting, the signage, or the way their receipt looks. They are going to remember how well Bob helped them or how fast Jane answered their question.

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Posted in Attitude, Bottom Line, Effective | Comments Off on The bottom line