Customer Service 101

What most businesses do not realise is the core importance of good customer service. If they put 'profit' as their top daily business target, then they would not last long. This is one thing I've observed throughout my years working in the F&B and retail industry during my university days. Then came the discount voucher-BOOM! (eg. Groupon, Groupego, Dealmate, Milkadeal, etc..)

Frankly speaking, out of all the 'service' vouchers I have bought - spa, mani/pedi, waxing, hair, etc - I can only share less than a handful of good first-time experience(s) *most vouchers are for first-time customers* Most of the time I vowed never to step foot into that place again. What these businesses are oblivious to is how this perfect marketing tool will help garner new customers ONLY if they provide good first-time experience. This means:

•  no hard/force-sell of (unnecessary) products or packages, 
• don't put your trainee to work when the voucher specified "by a professional.." or "...with 5/10/15-years of experience", and
• PLEASE be genuinely friendly - not fake it just for the sake of scoring a few Brownie points on delivering 'excellent' customer service; because damn right we can tell the difference!

I am sharing this because this is a prevailing issue. 

Nevertheless, I have met a fair share of awesome people. Just this morning, I stopped by the Famous Amos outlet in Amcorp Mall. I used to go there quite often when I was doing my internship at one of the Amcorp towers. My supervisor introduced me to one of the guys working there and honestly, he strikes the most sincere conversations with his customers. Even after 2 years, I still remember him because he has left such a good impression.

Put a smile in a stranger's face. There is no harm in greeting someone and asking about their day, and truly mean it.