How do you define small lady??

I would have to say that as a one person company, I feel “bigger” than a number of service providers in the same industry.

So thats my first poke: What makes a business “small”?

Is it employees? Square footage? No coffee machine jabbering?

Anyways…what I am trying to do is make note of “generalizing”.

In the case of “Big Business”, great examples are often seen without being noted, or taken for granted.

Unknowingly at the Radisson with people who I guess are my peers, I got a room with no internet and a dry red wine instead of a Moscato.

12 hours later: lunch on them ($30) and 6PM checkout (~$50?).

I felt entitled to compensation b/c I didnt get EXACTLY what I came for (in this case internet and a nice drink).

So…whats my point?

It is FAR FAR FAR FAR FAR more difficult for “people” (who are decision makers), to GIVE things away.

Customer service isnt all about smiles.

I admit failure…now what????

Thats the big “make or braker”.

So that is what I implore everyone to do:

1. DO NOT think your customers are all friends that will cut you a break.
2. Dont put ANY “action” that needs to be fulfilled off.
3. Not doing SOMETHING…is DOING something!

What I want to share is today: I am staying at the Radisson AGAIN, and they are still “in the green” with me as a customer.

Whats more, is that they have invested in my future as a beacon of sorts for selling the wonders and fantastic voyages of the Radisson hotel.

Does this sound like romanticized garble?

THATS OK! If you can get used to making the best of a situation and seeing the after effect it will have with a customer…you will BEG for them to take the refund, discount, give away, or whatever it is.

LOVE TO GIVE and youll find yourself GETTING a lot more.

Cheers to the energy you all created while I was staying here (what a coincidence!)

I have always sent hand written Thank You cards. As you say – few businesses do this and customers really appreciate it. We also used to give a tiny box with handmade chocolates to customers after a job. But we had to stop, as we kept eating them ourselves when we were hungry.

Great info – thank you! As I get prepared to leave my corporate job working for a Fortune 10 company, I am looking forward to implementing more personality into my life – business & otherwise. But even in the corporate world, people prefer to deal with humans not robotons. If we reject the power statement script we had to memorize and talk to our customers just like we wish they’d talk to us, they’re happier. I’ve won lots of top sales awards and it’s because I laugh and connect with the people in a not so corporate way.

Thanks for the reminder! And I had not even considered #4, calling our customers. I made the usual error. I’m usually annoyed when the phone rings, so I incorrectly assumed that others would hate it too.

Thanks for sharing this with us!

I have a blog where I have started my Bistro ‘concept’ and ask for anybody with their 2 cents worth to chip in and comment.

I plan on taking my time before opening it (years). But would like to have the input of many.

Come see my blog concept: http://BuildMyBistro.com
And maybe drop me a few more tips?