In the spirit of the holidays, I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I’ll talk to you again next year!

Katie

It’s the holiday season, but it’s also the time for a lot of bah humbug! I can’t believe the attitudes of some of the sales clerks and customers I have come into contact with as I have proceeded with my own holiday shopping! Traffic seems to be more hectic, people seem to be pushier than ever, and tempers seem to be flaring.

On the other hand, I have to comment on the pleasantness of the customers and the sales clerk I dealt with at Belk’s Department Store last week. Three elderly women stood in front of me and one elderly gentleman was behind me in line. The ladies were trying to find the coupons they had brought with them for the items they were purchasing. In the meantime, they were laughing with me, the gentleman, and the sales clerk – which helped us to not mind the wait so much. After finally locating their coupons, the gentleman behind me asked if he could use the remaining coupons. Cheerfully, one of the women immediately handed him a coupon and went on her merry way. The sales clerk, in turn, was very cheerful and helped to keep the mood light while we were waiting. The lightheartedness and Christmas spirit I felt while standing in that line made me want to stay there for awhile longer.

How does this apply to your business? Well, I know you are stressed from the busyness of the season, but you need to keep yourself focused on being the best you can be. When I worked for a local bakery, Thanksgiving and Christmas were the busiest times of year for us. This was the time that I would focus on trying to make each and every customer especially happy. Even if they were unpleasant to me, I would find a way to try to lighten their day. A kind word can go a long way. Your kind word may cause that person to think about their response to someone else, and soon a chain of Christmas spirit will begin!

Customer service is one of the key elements to the success of your business. Treat your customers how you would want to be treated, and you will find your way to a successful business.

Happy Holidays,

Katie