Customer Service as Community

Customer Service as Community

Before my grandfather passed away at age eighty-six, I asked him how his era was different from mine. “Our day was harder,” he said, “but happier.” The “harder” part I had expected; the “happier” part surprised me. I asked him for his reason. Looking out across a...
What Are You Wearing for Halloween?

What Are You Wearing for Halloween?

It is a question I have asked my three granddaughters for years. Their imaginative answers often amuse me. But their responses gave me a peephole into their interests at the time. It is the type of question your customers ask every time they encounter you or your...
Give Your Customers “The Knife”

Give Your Customers “The Knife”

One of my favorite Halloween memories was decorating the annual giant pumpkin with my son when he was young. As a toddler, he was primarily an observer as he watched me sculpt the face of the pumpkin with a scrimp knife. However, his commitment to the pumpkin-carving...
Great Customer Service as Boat Carpet

Great Customer Service as Boat Carpet

We broke the bank when we bought out our current house and built a large indoor spa off the master bedroom. It is a godsend at the end of a hectic day. When our three granddaughters come for a visit, the spa becomes an aquatic playground. We keep snorkels on hand and...
Innovation is the New Symbol of Survival

Innovation is the New Symbol of Survival

“What is something new and different your customers would say they have noticed recently?” It was a question I asked the CEO of a medium-sized company. The CEO, known for his impatience and strong personality, launched into a mini-sermon on the virtues of...
The Curb Appeal of Innovative Service

The Curb Appeal of Innovative Service

Curb appeal. It is a fundamental tenet of residential real estate sales. And the concept applies way beyond the view from the curb to subtle detailed touches like a freshly baked apple pie in the kitchen. It is a recognition that a prospect’s antennae include...