Of all people - managers, directors, presidents and CEO's are the ones who need to be approachable; both to their customers AND employees. So, it absolutely made my day when I walked into my hotel room and saw this:
It was a welcome note with the General Manager's business card in it!
You can't get more approachable than this. It was like the GM was saying, "Howdy! Welcome to my hotel. My name's Tom - and I'm in charge here. So, if there's anything you need, drop me a line. Seriously, here's my card! Call me any time."
Do all hotels do this?
Do ANY hotels do this?
Do any businesses do this?
I think they should. Seriously, how great would it be if every company went out of their way to make an approachable connection between The Big Cheese and The Customer?
Just imagine...
*Buying your new Ipod Nano...and getting a business card from Steve Jobs. And guess what? He'd love for you to drop him an email and tell him how amazing it sounds.
*Receiving your brand new Air Jordans in the mail...along with a business card from Phil Knight. What the heck? Ring him and let him know how you schooled all your friends at the park with your new shoes.
*Finishing your sandwich from Subway...and reaching into the bag to find a card from Fred DeLuca. That's right. He wants to hear from YOU, a customer who just ate a delicious lunch for under 7 bucks and under 7 grams of fat.
The days of the Spacely Sprocket-esque CEO are over. Isolated is out, approachable is in. So, whether you're a manager, director, CEO, president or owner, you've got to find a way to PERSONALLY welcome customers onto your front porch. After all, that's what makes them 1) want to come back, and 2) tell their friends.
Kind of like I'm doing right now.
LET ME ASK YA THIS...
In what way do you personally connect with your customers?
* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
Author/Speaker/That guy with the nametag
www.hellomynameisscott.com
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Adventures of The Big Cheese and The Little Customer
11:10 AM
4 comments






4 comments:
Hey Scott!
I stumbled upon your site, then blog. I like what you have to say about opening up lines of communication.
At any event I am in charge of, funny nametags are a must.
Just for fun, sometimes I will wear a ridiculously large afro wig or funny hat to 6th Street (Yes, I live in Austin, TX.) just so liven up the people around me.
The nametag idea is great, and I think I will try wearing one at the next party I go to!
You've got some moxy in you...I like it!
-Nev
I personally connect by putting a few personal tidbits about me on the back of my Show Off Business Cards.
At a recent "Schmoozefest" - that's actually the name of the event, I handed my card to a guy and started asking about his business. He runs a business supplying chocolate fountains for special events which I thought was pretty cool.
We then moved on to sports and out of the blue he says "Your Hokies (Virginia Tech) did pretty well last week". It shocked me for a second until it dawned on me that he had read my alma mater from my business card. He noticed my surprise and then threw out a couple more of "My " facts.
Without any real effort we were chatting on his "front porch". Mission accomplished.
The hotel idea must be catching on. I noticed the interesting video clip in the Brown Hotel (Louisville)Website.
Dear Scott, thanks for another super article, i just love this site, thanks for the hard work.
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