Virgil Winston:Marketing Guru
Everybody knows the importance of providing good customer service, but not everybody provides it. In fact, just last week I experienced the type of customer service that made me want to reach across the counter and strangle a person. But, being the reasonable, levelheaded type, I kept my hands in my pocket and let my closed wallet do the talking. That’s thing about bad customer service—unless you are a cable company, treating your customers poorly will eventually hit you where it hurts. Since you can find almost anything on the Internet, even companies who used to be the only game in town have had to step up their client relations or lose business. Frankly, that’s the way it should be. Competition makes everyone better—even when large conglomerates can undercut prices, smaller companies can offer a superior level of customer service to clients who appreciate being appreciated.
But what about the folks at your company who are responsible for providing great service to your customers? They need love too. That’s why, in 1992 the U.S. Congress proclaimed Customer Service Week a nationally recognized event, devoted to recognizing the importance of customer service and honoring the people on the front lines of the service revolution. So, while we all know what good customer service is and is not, you are wise to also remember the people who help you provide it. Since Customer Service Week begins October 6th, you still have just enough time to acknowledge the VIPs in your organization. Be a sport and get them something to let them know you value their hard work. The Clear Slant-Top Paperweight can be engraved with your company logo and the recipient’s name and accomplishment, and is an affordable way to show your appreciation for your whole team. For the superstars of your organization, go the extra mile and give them special recognition with the Medium Shooting Star. It’s made of made of 24% lead crystal and comes encased in it’s own gift box. The bottom line is, everyone likes to be acknowledged for doing a good job and giving well-deserved kudos will ultimately serve you well.
Well, I’m off to buy my assistant a well deserved gift and I can promise you two things: 1) I’ll put my name on it and 2) I won’t buy it at the sorry excuse for a store I visited last week. Until next time, I leave you with wise the words of Voltaire, “Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.”