Note the words below; they are a sobering reminder of the importance of what our customers expect of us and how excellent customer service means greater profits.
“I’m the customer. I have lots of money to spend, and I’m going to spend it with someone. I’m going to spend it on cars and clothes, services and symphonies, food and fun, books and burgers, groceries and gadgets, baubles, bangles, and beads.”
“Treat me right and make me happy and I’ll gladly spend my money with you. Yes, I’ll see to it that you are well paid, and that your firm prospers.”
“Take me for granted, or treat me rudely, and I’ll take my money elsewhere. Show me you don’t care and I’ll quietly seek out someone who does care about me and who makes me feel important. You may never miss me, but I’ll still be history.”
“I’m discovering that I have lots of choices where I can buy my clothes, get my sunglasses, buy my books, eat lunch or dinner, have my teeth examined, get my car serviced, buy new shoes, and have my health-care needs met.”
“Hey, all I want is for the people where I go or call to:
- Greet me and make me feel comfortable
- Value me and let me know that they think I’m important
- Ask how they can help me
- Help me get what I want or solve my problem
- Invite me back and let me know that I’m welcome there anytime.”
“This is all I want. That’s it. Just notice me and make me feel important. Try to understand me and conscientiously attempt to solve my problems.”
“That’s all I want!”
“You take care of me and I’ll take care of you. I’ll spend my hard-earned money with you. I’ll encourage my friends to come to see you. I’ll willingly come back when I need more of what you sell or offer.”
“I’ll help you enjoy more money, more success, and greater career satisfaction.”
“All you’ve got to do is satisfy me!”
Taken from “Hey, I’m the Customer” by Ron Willingham, 1992
Provided below are some very compelling words from a very famous person – sure the language might be out-dated, but the message is clear.
“A customer is the most important person on our premises.
He is not dependent on us,
We are dependent on him.
He is not an interruption to our work,
He is the purpose of it.
He is not an outsider on our business,
He is part of it.
We are not doing him a favour by serving him,
He is doing us a favour by giving us an opportunity to do so.”
quote from Mahatma Gandhi
What would happen to our business, our community, our nation, our world if these sentiments were actually acted upon and implemented? How would our business be different?
How would it impact on our customers?
How would our world be different?