How do you feel when you are a customer? Do you feel like the other person really wants to help you? Are they grateful and thankful for your patronage? Do they desire to provide you with a memorable, top-notch experience?
Or is it something else? Do you feel like an interruption to someone? Do you believe they are reluctant to help you? That perhaps they don’t care if you are there or not? Maybe even wish you’d go someplace else?
Now, look at how you treat your own customers, clients, co-workers, vendors and other constituents that fall within your orbit each day. How do you act to make them feel? It may sound contrived and clichéd, but consider the “golden rule” and treat others as you wish you were treated yourself.
If you find a company, vendor, doctor, restaurant, hair stylist or veterinarian who treats you like you’re wanted, STICK TO THEM LIKE GLUE! These are the people who truly care about you, will give you excellent service, stand behind their products, and make you feel like you are valued.
Listen to the words of country singer Hunter Hayes:
I wanna make you feel wanted
I wanna call you mine
Wanna hold your hand forever
And never let you forget it
‘Cause Baby I, wanna make you feel wanted
As good as you make me feel
I wanna make you feel better
When someone comes into your office, shop, examining room, etc., try looking them in the eye. Take a moment and smile at them. Let them know you are truly happy to see them and help in any way you can. Listen with both ears and your brain. Read between the lines of what they are saying and not saying. Try your best to reply to them in a way that they know you have heard them and can assist. Stop what you are doing. Look away from your monitor, or better yet, simply turn it off. Give that person your undivided attention. Do the same thing when someone calls on the phone. Try smiling; even though they can’t see you, they will sense the smile in your voice. If you can’t help them immediately, ask for permission to put them on hold or call back. Be respectful of the other person’s time.
This is a strategy with zero downside and practically unlimited upside. Make sure you are consistent, though, and only patronize those businesses that make you feel wanted too.
