If you are an entrepreneur, sales professional or an executive in a corporation, you are going to want to read this. When I was in my early 20’s, I had a few different entrepreneur businesses going, but one of the things that I did at night to supplement my income was fine dining waiting. What is fine dining waiter? I would be the guy that would cook Tableside Steak Diane, Caesar Salad, Cherries Jubilee, Banana Fosters and Crepes Suzette. I really enjoyed it, but what I realized very quickly, being an entrepreneur at such a young age that making around $60 every two weeks was not going to cut it for me. I was not in the waiting professional business to make $60 every two weeks, I wanted to make the big money, I wanted to make what the waiters made. So I became a waiter and realized that my paycheck was still subject to the restaurant bringing people in and so I got a little creative.
This was 25 years ago and on my own dime I had personal business cards made with my name, phone number and the name of the restaurant on the cards. I also bought a dozen cigars and a dozen roses to give to my tables. And remember this all came out of my own pocket. When a couple dined at the restaurant once or twice a week and I felt like they enjoyed my service and I enjoyed waiting on them, I would ask them at the end of their meal, “How was everything?” I always had great responses and after their response I would say, “great, what I would like to do if it’s okay with you, I would like to give you my personal card and If you ever have a special occasion or you have friends in town or you have clients that you need to impress please call me and I’ll get you into my section and take great care of you like I did this evening.” I never had anyone say no and they knew that I would serve and take care of them.
My customers loved the fact that they had a point of contact, somebody that was going to serve and wait on them. The other thing I did was I would offer a cigar to the gentleman and I asked if it was okay to give a rose to the to the lady. When they came back to dine I knew what they drank, I knew how they like their steak cooked, I made it a point for them to know If there was something special that they needed I would take care of it.
People love to be served and that’s really what I want to talk to you about today. If you are in business for yourself, a sales professional or an entrepreneur, you know it’s really about serving the customer. And that’s what I’d like you to do today is figure out how can you serve your potential new customers and your existing customers. By serving them and really taking care of their needs they are happy customers and they are going to continue using your service or buying your product, and they are going to refer business to you. I think the feeling that we as sales professionals, entrepreneurs and executives need to portray to our customers is really serving them because when people feel like they are being served they are appreciative and happy.
So again, make sure you serve your customers, it will be amazing watching your business and your sales increase!
Hey Todd! Great tip. Looking good Man! How are you? How’s the fam?
Love the message. Don’t just do what is required, but go the extra mile and serve the customer. Good stuff!
Thanks for sharing. Take care.