Six Essential Elements to Adopt in Your Business
By award-winning Keynote Speaker and Author Connie Podesta
Bottom line: If you don’t understand PEOPLE– customers, colleagues, leaders, owners, family, friends and YOURSELF, there is NO WAY you can ever experience success—at any level.
Imagine just for a moment how much you, your team, and your franchise could accomplish if you understood WHY people do what they do and say what they say. Especially when it comes to your customers.
Reality check: Customers are picky, internet savvy, impatient (even INSTANT gratification takes way too long), tired, frustrated, overwhelmed, and they want what they want when they want it! Not an easy group for anyone to deal with. The problem is…that pretty well describes the employees and the boss as well. Let’s face it–In a world where change happens at the click of a mouse, cell phones are glued to hands and some people are, well, not quite as nice as they used to be — it takes a strong spirit, understanding of PEOPLE and a major commitment to successfully run a franchise today. Your goal: to attract (and keep) customers coming through your doors that absolutely LOVE what you offer and are dying to rave about you to everyone they meet!
Where to start? With your biggest asset ever—your PEOPLE! Some say that the CUSTOMER IS #1. I disagree. I believe that PEOPLE are #1. Great customer service starts with fair, committed, respectful owners, outstanding managers who understand how to lead, mentor and coach and employees who feel good about themselves and their job. Great customer service begins long before the day’s first customer walks through the door. It is about great leadership. Great values. Setting high quality standards and expecting no less—ever! Committing to a franchise that is more than just a service or a product, but a meaningful way to connect and SERVE PEOPLE.
Great customer service happens when each team member feels:
1. PROUD: In your product. Service. Store. Team. Community. Pride leads to a sense of fulfillment which drives people to do their best, even on a bad day.
2. Part of the Team: They feel their opinions and ideas are listened to and acted upon. People don’t want to be “MANAGED.” They want to be supported, mentored, appreciated, respected & EMPOWERED.
3. Responsible: A team is only as good as the commitment between the members to be mindful of one another. To understand that their ideas, behaviors, and attitudes will always have an impact upon their team.
4. Connected: PEOPLE want to understand the big picture. And how they fit into the vision for the future. And how their specific job makes an important difference in the success of the franchise.
5. Respected: Respect starts when communication is assertive, open and honest. Respectful PEOPLE avoid manipulative conversations, game-playing and hidden agendas. Yelling, sarcasm bullying, put-downs and gossip are non-negotiable.
6. Accountable: Guilt, blame, and passing the buck don’t work in a successful team. PEOPLE need to be led by example and be accountable for the choices they make and mentored in making the right choices for them, their team, their franchise and in the end, for their customer.
PEOPLE are your best asset, no doubt. Begin today to LEVERAGE that asset to create a brand that will literally STANDOUT from the crowd
Want to learn more? Bookmark me here at www.conniepodesta.com and connect join in the conversation with me daily on Facebook or Twitter. I’ll see you there!
