missionincdevelopment

Have you ever walked out of a store or decided not to work with someone on a project because the person or people involved quite frankly has a piss-poor attitude?

People spend their hard earned money because it makes them feel good. Fulfilling a want or need is a satisfying experience.  The last thing I want in the midst of my ultimate shopping high, is to be rung up by the cashier with the “Ugh Mug” who looks like she wants to snatch my wallet and put the “smack down” on a sista.

I know that business is hard. Work is hard. Hell, life is hard.  But as business people we are supposed to have the experience, the couth, the finesse to navigate this thing called life with elegance and poise. The face of your organization is YOU. If you look sloppy all the time there is a problem. If you look unhappy all the time there is a problem. The customer imagines that the leader of an organization that is successful is a happy person. Why wouldn’t they be? They have a high quality product that is doing well and loved by all. That waitress with the turned up nose? Wellwhen I see her only wonder if she ate something on the menu that is not agreeing with her.

Think that you are above customer service because you are not a cashier or a waitress? Wrong again. “AB FAB” behavior only works if your business is already world renowed and even then you better check just how fabulous you get with certain people. You and whoever you choose to have represent your fragile and precious brand, needs to be on point- and above all…polite.  In these challenging economic times, people have no problem whatsoever taking their pocketbooks to a place where they feel appreciated.

Now this advice goes not only for your relationships with direct consumers, but with everyone  you come across. Anyone is potential partner, consumer, or supporter of your company.  Have you ever attended a networking event where it seemed like the good old group of “regulars” were there ignoring everyone else and looking at you like just crashed someone’s retirement party?  You know exactly who I am talking about.  These power networkers attend networking events primarily to showcase their new outfit and look fabulously unapproachable.  What they don’t realize is that they are not the coolest person in the room.  They are not using the power of suggestion to lure the most qualified leads to their corner of the room. What they are doing is missing opportunities to make new and lasting connections. They are missing the chance to get to know someone they have seen a hundred times better. They are missing the chance to find out what their old colleague is now up to.  They are working against their own shot at comeptitive advantage.

Save the grumpy old man routine for when you are unable to leave the house. Save the celebrity routine for when you do actually have national pull and a global following. For now- be a real person and be the face of your business. Have people associate your brand with a smile not a frown.