I love it when I get remarkable service! I shop at Nordstrom once per year (during their after Christmas sale) and the service is exceptional – plenty of quality staffers to help me pick out some new clothes. There is a high priced local restaurant here where you can’t tell the economy has weakened because of the great service (and food) they provide. Their wait staff is all 40 plus years old, have been there for years and they know how to provide a great dining experience. The Chick-fil-A just down the street gets more of my business than any other drive through because their service is unmatched. They can clear 15 cars in the drive-thru in less than 5 minutes. My kids make sure I say thank you because it always gets the response, “my pleasure.”
And, I really think they feel it is their pleasure. Finally, the best example of great service is one of our coveted clients, Disney Parks. Close your eyes and think of the kind of people and service Disney has in its parks (I bet you are smiling right now). So what is the common denominator here? Do these companies have the secret sauce, the silver bullet? The easy answer is “Yes.” They do understand what it takes to provide great service – great people and great training. Is that a “duh” or an “a-ha!”?
Great service isn’t in abundance in America. Great service isn’t expected here either. And that’s a shame. I feel really special when I get great service; wouldn’t it be cool if it just became the standard?