In today’s fast-changing and competitive environment, excellent customer service is essential for success. Here’s how to keep your customers – for life!
Have you ever felt whenever you were in a place of business that the employees really didn’t care whether you were there or not?
Have you been using mystery shoppers or web or phone surveys looking for something new? Do you need more data points?
Look no further than your email database of customers. Here is an inexpensive and fun way to not only help move service forward, but continue to cement the loyalty of your customers.
If you have a database of customers to whom you send offers on a regular basis, try this new spin on e-mail marketing. Instead of sending the typical coupon or discount offer, deputize them to be on-the-spot managers. In the e-mail, which can include a typical offer, have a “Bulls-eye” buck and a “You missed” buck that they can print out.
On each one, have two or three desired behaviors you are looking for — great service, smiles, saying thank-you, cook times, food quality, and so on. Rotate these over time so the customers look for a different thing each visit and keep the employees on their toes. Instruct the customer to bring each of the bucks to the restaurant.
During their visit, if they catch an employee doing a great job or a desired behavior, they give the employee the “Bulls-eye” buck. If they don’t experience the desired behavior, they provide the “You missed” buck to the manager on duty to let him or her know the employee missed their opportunity to shine. Managers can now take some corrective action, as well as perk the customer for the input. Employees can save the “Bulls-eye” bucks for prizes, free food, or no side-work passes.
A little crazy? Perhaps, but don’t most of your employees do things right if they know somebody is watching? Give the customer an incentive to watch! Customers want to see your brand succeed and help make it better. If your last email offer didn’t get the response you intended, try this new spin. See more customers come through the door and provide a fun way to move sales and service to the next level.
NB: This article was written for was written for QSR Magazine/Journalistic Inc..
About the Author
T.J. Schier is service professional, consultant and speaker with over 20 years experience in operations and training. Founder and president of Incentivize Solutions and podTraining, T.J. has helped numerous clients enhance their service and training programs and spoken to tens of thousands of managers, franchisees and operators in various fields.
