Lately, I was headed into town for any client meeting when realized that i
immediately needed gasoline -- my fuel indicator gentle was blinking
incessantly. When I stopped at the closest gas station to fill, I noticed
that the actual gas I needed had been running at almost $3. 50 per gallon. Wow,
I thought to myself - that's pretty high! Then all of an abrupt, out of nowhere,
a kind female worker warmly greeted me as well as said "Good morning! its
customer appreciation day, do you mind if i clean your car windshield? " Yes, I
pleasantly replied as she approached my car.
I found myself quickly
engaged in a friendly conversation with her about the beautiful weather we were
experiencing in the center of the winter, and before I understood it I was
finished pumping my gas, she was extending to me a fond farewell, and on her
method to attend the next client.
To you this story may seem lackluster.
However, what makes this short encounter so memorable personally is the small
act of kindness on behalf of the employee that caught me off guard and made me
completely forget about the extra money I had been spending for gasoline from
her station.
Now, I'm sure this customer appreciation day activity was a
probably a planned company initiative, but the genuine attitude that the
employee extended made a significant difference. She had the right attitude, and
unknowingly started me off to some great day. the typical gas station is
becoming more of a convenient destination for a variety of other services like
car wash, window tint and oil change products as
well.
The lesson learned is that too often frontline employees and
leaders tend to forget (whether employed in a bank, grocery store, dry cleaner,
gas station or every other customer oriented business) it's the little things --
like how you greet, approach or service a person that makes or breaks their
perception from the organization.
So take time today to increase a small
act of kindness to make someone's day, whether they are an interior or external
customer - because in the final analysis, it's the little things that make a big
difference!