Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Customer service ambassadors

J.R. Cottle, Chris LaCoe and C.K. Kiley advocate great customer service.


How often do you suffer customer service idiots?
How often do you leave a business feeling disgusted?
Disrespected? Unappreciated? Never coming back?
The person behind the counter is having a bad day.
Cut her some slack? Not on your life.
She’s running off people who keep her in business.

Let me tell you a different story.
This is about making a difference in business and life.
Two entrepreneurs we know opened a new restaurant.
It’s their eighth — all highly successful.
Chris and J.R. aim to open 100 of them.
Theirs is Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes and Fries.

A waitress opens the door when you approach.
She smiles a radiant smile and invites you in.
The place is packed. Every booth taken.
She shows you to a booth or the counter.
She’s back with your drinks. Takes your order.
Within less than five minutes your food arrives.

Chris and J.R. are working the grill.
Their manager C.J. is keeping things moving. And I mean moving fast.
The Beach Boys are singing in the background.
The decor is straight out of the 1950s.
Looks, feels and smells like a diner.
And a very good diner at that.

What’s going on here?
This isn’t just another fast food joint.
This is a delightful experience.
On opening day, the staff was ready.
A half dozen cooks were working the grills.
Pink-shirted waitresses made you feel special.
Five lessons worth noting here.

1. They trained their people well.
Everyone was smiling. Especially the customers.

2. The owners were setting an example.
Not sitting on their butts in a back office.
When the boss works hard, everyone else does, too.
A good work ethic breeds more of the same.

3. Everyone was in uniform, an identity builder.
Girls in pink. Guys in black. All with the logo.
For employees this creates a sense of belonging.

4. No long waits for food. And good food.
Shrimp burgers. Cheese  burgers.
Philly cheese steaks as good as South Philly.
Deliver every order in less than five minutes.
That helps turn over your tables faster.
Serve more customers. Make more profit.

5. Survive and thrive on repeat business.
Create a great experience and they’ll return.
Treat every customer as if she was your grandma.
The one you love and she loves you.
Five simple steps to great ambassadorship.

Foot note: Best frozen custard ever.
Better than ice cream. Wow!
The biggest lesson in all of this:
Create Wow! experiences for your clients.

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