Tuesday, January 07, 2003
Adventures of the coat check bandit
Assumption: nametag=employee.
I was eating dinner tonight at a place in St. Louis called Kreis' Steakhouse. (Wearing my nametag as usual) Before sitting down I grabbed mine and my grandpa's coat and headed to the coat check closet by the entry way. Right after hanging the two coats a gentleman walked in the door. He was about 50 or so and was removing his coat to check it in the closet.
Never missing another quasi employment opportunity, I said, "Can I take your coat for you sir?"
"Sure," he said as he handed me the black leather bomber and scarf.
As I hung his coat amidst the others he asked, "Don't you have to give me one of those tickets so I can claim the coat later?"
Thinking quickly I grabbed half of one yellow stub and turned around to the man.
"Uh...yeah...here's your stub sir, number 819...and welcome to Kreis' Steakhouse."
Just then about a second later my Aunt Donna walked in the same door and yelled hello to me. Nice timing. I think she blew my cover!
The guy looked at me kind of weird. Especially since a few minutes later I walked right past him and sat down at a table right next to him!
But it made me think...let's say a customer is in need of assistance. And you're in the right place at the right time. I believe in lateral service - even if it's not your job.
LET ME ASK YA THIS...
Have you ever helped a customer - even if it wasn't your job?
* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
Author/Speaker/That guy with the nametag
www.hellomynameisscott.com
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Scott's Books
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-ABLE
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The Approachable Leader
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Live Your Name
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Stick Yourself Out There : Get Them to Come to You!
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The Approachable Frontline
17 Daily Practices for Delivering Unforgettable Service
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The Approachable Manager
24 daily practices for getting employees to come to you
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The Approachable Salesperson
22 Daily Practices for Enabling Customers to Buy
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Make A Name for Yourself
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How To Be That Guy
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The Power of Approachability
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Hello, My Name is Scott
Connect
I once helped out a women at a bookstore pick out a couple Discworld books for her father. I've read them all, and she looked kinda confused just sitting there looking at the whole shelf full of them.
(Oddly enough, it was at a bookstore that had rejected my employment application some time ago.)
I do it all the time, mostly in computer stores. I have helped in bookstores and the local grocery many times. I used to jump behind the bar years ago at my favorite watering hole in a little town in W.V. after a while the bar owner starting getting intentionally drunk because I did a better job of keeping his customers happy. I love to help people, it's a selfish act on my part, but the recipient doesn't know that, they just see a stranger that's a nice guy
Yeah, I’ve helped people out like this dozens of times. I guess I just look like I work everywhere. Example: I was at Sears and this lady walked up to me and said, “do you know where the sheets are?”
I walked her over to where they were and then helped her pick out sheets that she ended up buying.
This seems to happen to me in one way or another a lot.
Happy five year birthday for your blog!
April 20, 2008
A few days back, at the local fruits and vegetable store, I found the owner trying to weigh the articles at two scales one after the other because in front of each a queue of customers had formed. I asked him the code numbers of a few common fruits and vegetables and took over a scale helping those customers who wanted to buy those articles.
Tell me, how do you feel getting a comment more than five years after posting on your blog. On cloud nine? If yes, you deserve to be there! You are continuing to put up great posts. Thanks for each one of them (to tell you the truth I have read only three so far, and, of course I liked them hugely).
I do this all the time. Last time I was in BestBuy with a blue shirt on, like the ones they wear.
Got a question about a iPhone protective cover and walked the guy over to the right section and helped him pick one out.
My wife walked away, but whatever!
Rob