It was only $2.32

Posted on April 2, 2011 by David

Where shopping IS a pleasure

I’m married to a shopaholic. Rather, I’m married to a coupon-a-holic. If it’s not on sale or there isn’t a coupon attached to it, chances are it’s not going to be bought. If it is, there is grumbling.

So when she got home, she immediately checked over her receipt making sure proper credit was given for all the deals. This is when she realized something was missing.

Mousse.

Not the edible kind. But hair mousse. She checked the van. Nope. Not there. Checked through all the bags again. Nope. Not their either. So she called the store. They had it and would hold it until I could get there the next day.

So after work I go to pick it up. A can of mousse. They didn’t have it. I got “the look” from the customer service reps. I suggested I go find it on the shelf and bring it to them.

What happened when I arrived back at the customer service counter was unexpected.

It was $2.32. That’s was for the cost of the mousse. It was their way of saying I’m sorry. Whether it was our fault or not didn’t matter.

It’s not about the money. And they know that. It’s about recognizing a mistake was made and they were taking the first step to making it right.

All of this over a $2.32 bottle of mousse. Boy, what some companies will do to earn your business.

That’s some of the cheapest advertising they can buy. All this started over a can of mousse.

Posted in Customer for Life, Wow | 5 Comments

No joking here, only winners

Posted on April 1, 2011 by David
Winners

Winners

The challenge for March was fun. It helped me be more focused.

The constant writing has also helped drive blog visits up from 2000 visits in January to over 12000 visits by the end of March.

I’m not here to brag. I’m here to tell you what consistency can do.

Does your business need to do something different? Or are you trying the same tactics day after day expecting different results?

Know what they call that?

Insanity. No joke.

April is going to be about telling it like it is. No sugar coating. Maybe a little blunt.

But it’s filled with love. Perhaps a bit of tough love. I’ll call out the winners and losers.

You’re going to be a winner right? Yeah. I thought so.

 

Posted in allforthecustomer.com, Attitude, Business Growth, Determined, Encouragement, Hard Work, Love Your Job, Passion | 3 Comments

31-day challenge

Posted on March 31, 2011 by David

The decision was made at the end of February to devote more time to sharing thoughts through this blog. And the challenge to do it everyday has brought us here.

You made it. I made. Hope you enjoyed the ride.

A quick recap of each of the days is below for your review. You can click on the link on the keywords on each line to take you to that day’s post.

Day 1 – Change is good
Day 2 – What are you giving away today?
Day 3 – Correction
Day 4 – How can you make your competitors jealous?
Day 5 – Don’t just do busy work
Day 6 – Offer better service
Day 7 – Treat your customers as guests
Day 8 – What about your staff?
Day 9 – Do you share your triumphs and tragedies?
Day 10 – Don’t give up the fight
Day 11 – Tangent – Personal Health
Day 12 – Are your employees a Forethought or Afterthought?
Day 13 – There are no shortcuts on quality
Day 14 – Shortcut follow-up
Day 15 – Mondays are for achievers
Day 16 – Special Request
Day 17 – If you could see his face
Day 18 – Severe cramps with increased heart rate
Day 19 – Have you tried speed servicing?
Day 20 – The Power of Positive Thinking . . . .I Think
Day 21 – Do you need to be committed?
Day 22 – Your personal brand
Day 23 – Waste not
Day 24 – I don’t care if you’re uncomfortable
Day 25 – The art of a thank-you note
Day 26 – Not a single brick out of place
Day 27 – Remember
Day 28 – No matter where you are
Day 29 – No matter what you do
Day 30 – Everything you do is for your customer

If you’ve caught on to what this blog is all about before now, great job for being observant. If not, check out the blog topics for the last 4 days and compare that to my blog tag line.

Where will your next challenge lead you?

Day 31 – Challenge yourself to accomplish greater things.

[five-star-rating]

 

Posted in 31 Day Challenge | 8 Comments

Everything you do is for your customer

Posted on March 30, 2011 by David

From the time you turn off the lights at night until the time you turn them back on the next day, everything you do is for your customer.

But Dave, how can that be? We have our down time when we’re not on the job. Sure. But that doesn’t mean we’re not working.

As my good friend jeff noel puts it, “and the workday begins the night before.”

At first I didn’t get the meaning. Then in a blinding flash of the obvious (thanks jeff) it hit me! It’s more than preparation. It’s organization.

You can prepare some of the greatest speeches and presentations man has ever witnessed. But if you can’t organize your thoughts or tools to do your job, what does it matter?

That’s why we endlessly strive to do the best for our customers. Because giving less than 100% is failure. And failure is not an option.

What do you call the guy that finishes last in med school?

Doctor.

Watch this video for a great example on giving it your all 100% of the time. It’s why an “A” is not enough.

Day 30 – Everything you do is for your customer.

[five-star-rating]

Posted in 31 Day Challenge | 2 Comments

No matter what you do

Posted on March 29, 2011 by David
My job is to care for the number 3

My job is to care for the number 3.

Where do you work? I don’t mean which company. But physically, where is your desk/cubicle/office/workspace located? Do you have contact with customers directly?

No matter what you do, you have a hand in dealing with your customers. If you work in the mail room, or you are the night watchman, or you are the guy that takes care of the Number 3, you have a responsibility to your customers.

In November 2009, I attended Disney’s Approach to Leadership Excellence, a course offered by Disney Institute. Part of this course involved field experiences where we observed Cast Members at work. One observation I made was of the custodial staff. While we weren’t told this, I figured out they had to be some of the most knowledgeable Cast Members within the entire resort. Why? They have to know the location of every ride, every restaurant, every restroom and a host of other answers to questions they will be asked by guests from around the globe.

So, if you think your job doesn’t matter, think again. Even if your job is to take care of the Number 3, everything you do is for your customer.

Day 29 – No matter what you do.

[five-star-rating]

PS. If you are the first person who can name the ride in the picture above, I’ll send you a prize.

 

 

Posted in 31 Day Challenge, allforthecustomer.com, Disney Institute, Disney's Approach to Leadership Excellence | 9 Comments