Sin 2: Playing the blame game
None of us like to be wrong. So, when
things do muck up or we don’t meet
clients’ or colleagues’ standards, our ego
is sometimes too quick to protect us by
blaming someone else for the breakdown.
Serving others requires you to take full
responsibility of your actions, regardless
of your role. It’s better to direct your energy
and effort into creating a solution rather
than into ducking and weaving, pointing
the finger at who caused the problem.
People are not perfect, we all know this. How your company deals with
an issue when it does arise means more than getting it right every time.
Sin 3: Controlling every move
You can’t control other people’s reactions, and it’s unrealistic to think
that you’re in complete control of a situation that involves another
human being. Humans are unpredictable!
When you see yourself, at the beginning of an interaction with a
colleague or client, holding tightly onto the result you want or what
you expect the other person to do or say, just remind yourself that
you cannot control everything. This will help you work towards an
agreeable outcome for all involved and you’ll build a solid reputation
based on that.
Sin 4: Burying your head in the sand
In small business, you’re continually challenged by situations that
may never have occurred before. Often, we hold off on asking for
help in such situations because we think we should know what we’re
doing.
If you don’t know how to answer a client or colleague’s question,
it’s much better to ask someone who does. Not having the answer
straightaway is not a weakness. You’ll do more harm than good if you
bumble along, digging a bigger hole for yourself. People can sense
Good service is no longer about
competitive pricing and quality
products, it’s now about
long-lasting relationships
that cut through the noise.
when something is off. Don’t let your pride
and ego get in the way of finding a great
solution to a new problem!
Sin 5: Getting stuck in ‘business as
usual’
Small businesses, by their very nature, are
dynamic, unpredictable and sometimes a
little messy. No team needs a member of
staff who just wants to clock in, and clock
out again as quickly as possible. Everyone
needs to be on the same page about the
direction of the business and everyone
needs an open mind when it comes to
identifying areas of improvement.
No business is perfect, so if you notice
something that needs attention, the best
way to serve yourself, your team and your
customer is to raise it in a solutions-focused
way. Conversations around continuous
improvement trumps everything when it
comes to getting ahead of your competition.
Jaquie Scammell
Jaquie is a sought-after
speaker, facilitator and coach
working with some of the
largest global workforces in
retail, banking and hospitality.
Jaquie has managed and advised workforces of all
sizes, from small teams to staff of more than 9500,
interacting with millions of fans on a daily basis.
Service Habits is the second book in her ‘Service’
series, published by Major Street Publishing.
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