Service with a Smile

Have you ever walked into an office building, grocery store or restaurant and thought “Wow this person loves their job!” or “This person makes me feel like I want to be in this establishment?”

You have, I’m sure, walked in to a business and thought “Wow these people hate their jobs and I won’t be returning?”

I have personally witnessed both ends of the spectrum and the good news is “Service with a Smile” will always be available at The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce.

As The Chamber’s administrative assistant, I sit at the front desk and am the first image a client or tourist sees.  It’s important for me to give that first and lasting impression. By giving a smile or a pleasant phone greeting I am creating the relationship with the customer that makes them want to be in The Chamber and return when they need information.

Sending a customer away happy is not only about making sure they return to your business, but it’s also about making sure they spread a positive word to gain new business and clients, which will keep your business flourishing.

Here’s a few tips on how to keep your customers coming back for more.

1. When answering the telephone be sure to answer promptly and with the correct tone of voice and articulation.  Answering the phone with a little enthusiasm, correct tone and correct pronunciation of your business and name will leave the customer not only feeling good, but will also leave a professional opinion on your business with the customer.
2. Listen to the customer’s concerns and complaints and handle them in a timely matter.  No one likes to think they aren’t being listened to or taken seriously when it comes to concerns and complaints.
3. It’s important to help the customer even if there is no direct benefit for your business.  Have you ever been a sales associate in a store and had a customer try on every item of clothing in three different sizes?  You happily oblige because that customer could come back in a week and spend big money in your store. I guess kind of similar to the situation in the movie Pretty Woman.
4. It’s important that every member of your staff comes to work with the same happy enthusiastic attitude.  Ever had that one rotten egg in your carton?  That one staff member could spoil the batch.

What it boils down to is that if you come to work with a positive outlook and attitude and with a mega watt smile, customers will continue to spread the word and return to do business with you.

A simple smile is all it takes!

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