The best servers I have interacted with had the ability to make a customer feel like they were their ONLY customer. That’s how good friends, good bosses, and great co-workers operate, too. Do you see the connection? Value the individual conversations enough and the pattern of putting others before yourself becomes a habit.
In food service, the best servers earn the biggest tips.
In business, the customer-focused companies almost always win and experience more success. So do the individuals who are inclined to focus on customer service. It’s smart business and it’s good for you.
At our agency, we talk frequently about how even the smallest project we tackle is the most important marketing task on someone’s to-do list. That means you may not win a Telly, Communicator, or Addy award for that work, but accomplishing it on time, on budget, and with exceptional client service will make a difference to someone who needs your expertise and support.
An Application4You to Integrate
Regardless of your position, the way you engage with another person is important. Customer service training focuses on empathy, and there’s a good reason for that. Putting yourself in another person’s shoes helps you improve your ability to serve, builds a selfless mindset, and improves the experiences of those around you—whether they’re a co-worker or a client.
Most of us want better outcomes, but in today’s short-handed, AI-fueled, get-more-done-with-less business life, we frequently miss the importance of maintaining a client-focused approach.
That sort of individual attention and focus on the customer’s experience isn’t just good for your company; it’s exactly the type of adjustment a person trying to grow in their career can employ. We sometimes think we get ahead by putting others down, but in reality, the best way to grow professionally is to look out for your customers and colleagues.That’s what happens behind an efficient bar, and it works the same way in business. Everyone wins.
You start by solving problems, finding better ways to do things, and improving the customer’s experience. So focus on the things you can control—your attitude, your approach, and your willingness to help—and watch how you can make a difference in a variety of ways. Then your co-workers and clients will feel the impact and you’ll be on the right path to improved efficiencies and results.
You can pre-order Turning Tables: Everything I Needed to Know aboutBusiness I Learned as a Server here. (I’ll happily autograph any copies you purchase if we can find a way to connect in person.)
To learn more and to schedule a speaking engagement, visit the following website: www.brucecbryan.com/