Thankfulness
This
time of year is a good one for all of us to remember to be thankful.
So often as customers we are served by people in businesses
who really don't understand gratitude. It is refreshing sometimes
just to be appreciated. Traveling the interstate after Thanksgiving,
I overheard a waitress at a national 'sit-down' restaurant say
to another table "Thank you for being patient, I just got
"triple sat" and I'm really trying to keep a good
attitude'. Her guests saw she was trying really hard to please
all her tables on one of the busiest travel days of the year
and they had just given her some respect and understanding of
her predicament. This restaurant actually has defined as one
of its core values 'people pleasing'. A culture of not just
profit, but actually pleasing people! How much more satisfying
for everyone.
Another favorite fast food haunt of mine here in the south is
distinctive in that it even can train part-time counter help
(typically high school students) to smile and say 'it is my
pleasure' when a customer thanks them for the food. Now, how
much better is that than having your lunch slid across a counter
in your general direction with a scowl? Not only 'thank you',
but it is "My Pleasure'!
Then there is the series of 'Citibank' commercials. The funniest
has one woman escaping an awkward situation where she mistakenly
presumed the other woman was pregnant by saying 'Thank you'.
'What did you say?" "Thank you?" "Come here
girl, give me a hug!" Amazing how a gentle word can turn
away wrath. ;-)
With all the automation in e-commerce, we might all consider
how we can show our friends and customers our gratitude. First
in respect, then in ways that are meaningful to them. It could
be frequent customer rewards, great product recommendations,
free shipping thresholds, coupons or other incentives. What
is the equivalent of an online 'hug' in your world? I'd be interested
to hear stories of how each of you show gratitude in exceptional
ways for your online audience.
Here at Ydesigns™, as I reflect over the years and the wrap-up
of 2004, I want to say, we are truly thankful for all of our
clients and friends out there. Let me say here and now "thank
you"! Since 1997, it is indeed 'our pleasure' to serve
you and work with you all. We hope to continue to multiply value
for you and to provide timely information and services worthy
of your respect and trust. Here's to helping 2005 be the most
satisfying and rewarding year yet! "Come here, give me
a hug!!" |
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