![\"customer](\"https:\/\/www.marketingforsuccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/customer-service-tips1.jpg\" "\\"customer")
<\/a> of our products and services.<\/p>\nI’m not even sure the young man realized the significance of what he did.\u00a0 This small act, if you became infected with, would not only turn your sales around, if everybody did it,\u00a0the whole economy could turn around.<\/p>\n
Most of us are walking around in a daze.\u00a0 We’ve got our head buried in the sand and we don’t even know what’s going on around us.\u00a0 We are going through our day saying “why me?”\u00a0 We are worried about being laid off, not being able to pay our bills, losing our customers.\u00a0 “Everything was going so good a few years ago, but now, everything is falling apart.”<\/p>\n
Well, this young night clerk in the La Quinta Inn demonstrated to me that if you go the extra mile with a little bit of sincere attention you can go from “why me” to “why not me?”<\/p>\n
Here’s what he did to make\u00a0such an impression.<\/p>\n
When I checked in he said: “Welcome Mr. Oros, I see you are a motivational speaker!”<\/p>\n
You might be wondering what the big deal is?<\/strong><\/p>\n Here’s the big deal.<\/strong> Using my the email I’d included with my registration, this young man took the initative to look up my website to see what I do.\u00a0 That small, seemingly insignificant gesture has NEVER been done by any of the thousands of hotels I have stayed in.\u00a0 None of the Hiltons, Hyatts or Crown Plazas where I use my email address for my confirmation have ever felt\u00a0that my business\u00a0was important enough, or they were at least a little curious about one of their customers.<\/p>\n Let’s compare that with my bank.<\/p>\n They just started a new program.\u00a0 When you go through the drive through they remind you that your car payment is due!<\/p>\n Not:\u00a0 “Hello Mr. Oros, I hope you’re having a great day!”<\/p>\n All they\u00a0say is:\u00a0“Do you know your car payment is due?”<\/p>\n Here was my reply: “How stupid do you think I am?\u00a0 Of course I know my car payment is due and it will be paid Friday, which is well within the terms of the loan!”<\/p>\n Why not put a little note on my account that said:\u00a0 “Bob Oros. Loyal customer since 1988. Over 2 million dollars deposited.\u00a0 Motivational speaker.\u00a0 Ask advice on how to get motivated.<\/p>\n EVERYBODY is hungry for a little attention!<\/p>\n What do you know about your customers?\u00a0 Have you been to their website?\u00a0 Have you read their advertisements?<\/p>\n It’s like everybody is going around building thousands of shallow, meaningless relationships on Twitter and MySpace rather than paying attention to the person right in front of you!<\/p>\n When that young man looked me in the eye, welcomed me, and gave me the ultimate compliment of a little attention, he made the sale.\u00a0 That personal attention meant more to me\u00a0than all the “tweets” on Twitter will EVER mean!<\/p>\n I am on an airplane on my way to\u00a0do a seminar\u00a0where I will be staying for three nights.\u00a0 Am I staying at the Hyatt?\u00a0 Nope.\u00a0 Am I staying at the Hilton?\u00a0 Nope.\u00a0 I am staying at the La Quinta to remind myself that when I meet with my customers and give my speech, to gather all the information I can, be sincerely interested in them – and pay attention!<\/p>\n The best advice I can give you is to get your head out of the electronic sand.\u00a0 Use all your “e” stuff to simplify your life.\u00a0 Use it as an amazing tool to collect information, communicate, learn and keep records.<\/p>\n But when it comes to customer service, selling, motivating your staff or building your relationships there is nothing more effective than a smile, the sound of your voice, eye contact, a handshake, a meaningful conversation and a little sincere attention\u00a0to seal the deal.<\/p>\n – Bob<\/em><\/p>\n