10 Seconds and 10 Feet

One afternoon, my family and I were shopping at a local grocery store just a few miles from our home.  We had already purchased our items and were escorted out the door by a friendly employee, who wanted to help us out.

After the elderly gentleman insisted on helping load our groceries into our family min-van (yeah, that’s right, I drive a mini van and I drive it with pride), I said to the man, “Could I ask you a question?  I’m a business owner and your service is really impressive. You all go above and beyond and it really stands out.  What type of leadership and training does your management provide?”

The grocery store bagger said, “Well, our manager has a principle we do business by. If a customer is within ten feet of you, you have ten seconds to speak to them and look to serve them in some way.”

We carried on in conversation for a couple more minutes. He last comment was “I hope you will continue to shop here.” He said it with a sincerity that made me feel as if he really meant it. At this same grocery store, if you ask where something is, they walk you to the item rather than point you in the general direction.  They ALWAYS offer to help you out to your car. They thank you for your patronage and do so with sincerity.

Our neighborhood is positioned between two different grocery stores, both of which are identical distance from us.  As new residents in our community we frequently shop at both stores to see which one best meets our needs. 

When shopping at both stores, one thing has become abundantly clear; customer service makes a significant difference in our overall experience. If you asked for assistance at our other store, they might point and say something like “I think it’s down on aisle eight.” As customers, we notice these differences.

So, what can we take away from these different customer service experiences? All of us are selling one of two things every day. We are either selling POSITIVE or NEGATIVE. Everything we do. How we speak to others, how we show up to work, how we live our daily lives.

 What are you Selling?

Ways to Sell Positive?

1) Make a Decision; we have a choice everyday when we wake up, whether we give off positive or negative energy.  

2) Make a difference. Wake up with a sole purpose in your life – to serve others and make a     POSITIVE difference in the lives of those around you.

3) ABF= Put your Actions before your feelings. Most people allow their feelings to affect their actions.   Be different and live by principles rather than your mood. You won’t always “feel” like it so decide ahead of time that you will be a person of positivity.

4) Eliminate negativity and stop complaining. Energy flows where energy goes.

Part of being special is being different. Being different in everything you do and how you do it.

Sam Allen
@CoachSamAllen