EVERYONE is a customer!

Good Morning, is it COLD enough today??  Geez, I think I'm going to work in the home office today and my Tiber errands can wait!  I'm going on vacation next week and I have 3 full pages of "to-do's" before I go and 3 packing lists.  I have to laugh when my husband tells everyone "yep, we're all ready to go".  All I can say is "WHAT???".  He already has his little pile in his suitcase and to him it means we're ready - cute. 

Anyways, I've been wanting to share something I've learned and that is EVERYONE is a customer.  That means be courteous, respectful, appreciative, and GIVE PEOPLE THE TIME OF DAY.  Thankfully I learned this lesson very early on in business.  HOW??

Well, a group of girls came in for a Girls Nite party and one of them mentioned that she wouldn't have come to Tiber River if it wasn't for her group of friends.  WHY??  Well, because when we first opened we were hammered with calls from people trying to sell us stuff.  Especially advertising - radio, newspaper, magazines - you name it.  Apparently, I was abrupt with one of the reps (this girl) from a radio station saying I was "too busy and we weren't interested right now".  Although this was very true with a tight budget and my time spread in a million directions, really WHAT IS 10 MINUTES??  It would seriously take 10 minutes of my time to hear what this nice young girl had to say and she is just trying to do her job.   

I was in a similar situation and on the other end when I recently tried to schedule a meeting with a very successful business person to discuss cross-marketing and learn what made his company so successful.  I was told I could come into his office and he'd give me 20 minutes.  Instead of being excited about sharing and how it may also be good for his business, he was insincerely making the time.  Thanks, but NO THANKS. 

A friend of mine also approached a fellow businesswoman about grabbing a coffee and learning more about her business.  She was told "NO, not interested" and that was that.  This individual obviously didn't see how connected she is - How many people would she potentially tell about her business??    And she's a LOT of fun, it would have been the most entertaining cup of coffee she ever had!

All it takes is time and I always make an effort to meet with everyone who asks because you just never know what you'll learn or the impact those 10 minutes will make to you and your business.  I have so much respect for successful business owners who are giving of their time.  So my word for the day is GIVE.  GIVE of yourself and take the time.  And more importantly, be sincere about it.

And for anyone reading this, please just wait until mid-February to call me because I'll be on vacation.  I promise I would love to chat with you!

Have a great day!  Michelle

Comments

[Adriana (Tiber River)]

You said it Michelle!! It's very easy to get caught up in our own challenges and just dismiss things out of hand, without taking the time to hear and appreciate. I tell my kids all the time - you get what you give. It's the truth and applies to everything!! Great post!

[Kathryn]

Hi Michelle and Adrianna,

I love your blog but never seem to get around to putting comments - keep up the GREAT work. I hear ya about customer service (am married to it :)) Hope you have a great time in Cuba? It will be so fun and relaxing.

Hope to see you soon