I need constant reminding in my role as a leader to have as part of my focus to consistently ask myself if we are doing things in an optimal way or in a way that best serves our clients. It benefits the client and of course ensures our business remains viable and we don’t get left behind!

I find it interesting to note what the study on tipping revealed and indeed the responses it has evoked. For me it mentioned some general concepts linked with specific measures that could be learned as tools to connect with customers. I understood from the wording that there are many techniques with which you can connect with customers that could be used depending on the situation.

One example is the ‘touching’ one. The wording used by the waitress was:
“a study I once read that said servers who find a way to physically touch their customers get higher tips.” The key words here were ‘find a way’ which is crucial to the whole thing and to not having the ‘touching’ come across as inappropriate or offensive. ‘Finding a way’ to me indicated that over the course of the evening through your service, you would seek to build a connection with your customers to the point where it would feel appropriate that some sort of touch would be received as a respectful gesture of service as opposed to the offence some have alluded to.

I guess such a technique and it’s application seems to me to highlight the fact that in all our roles, there are a great variety of tools and skills that we can constantly research and learn about that in any given situations we may call upon one or two to maximise and customise our service to our customers based on their personalities - one size certainly does not fit all where people are concerned because what do we hear all the time?… “We are all unique”. Those who master the art of interpreting people and which techniques will work with them will truly build a great client base and learn to…

Serve with their best self!

Great message thanks Dan.

This American Life

I’m sure Professor Wynn’s approach is more scientific, but the concept of tipping is complicated as some of the previous comments have described. Sometimes doing the best job possible provides less immediate monetary gains than improvement in personal satisfaction. We spend so much of our time at work, it’s nice to feel good about what we are doing.

Thanks for the RFL!
Evan

Thanks for the RFL!
Evan

There are many factors in leaving a tip.

My wife is an excellent cook and I mean excellent. I take her out to lunch or dinner in order to give her a break from cooking a meal. Even though she is tired of cooking, she has said to me that it is better for us to eat at home. My wife is also very wise.

You might have to pay for the photocopying, or we could email the links directly to you - you might not even have to set foot in the building.

That’s one way libraries can serve those who serve! We’re here to help, so please use us!! Thanks!

Thank you for this week’s RFL….I will definitely post this week’s article on the billboard at MY Weekend waitress job. As a waitress for over 14 years, I do know that the personal communication and interaction in a non-offensive way does increase your tips and make you guest experience more pleasurable. During these difficult economic times, it is nice to go out for dinner with family and friends just for a little r&r and laughter; when you have a waitress/waiter who is disgruntled, non-friendly, and down right rude that server can and will effect the mood of the guest dining experience. At the restaurant I work at for over the last three years has seen a steady decline in business and yes, guest are tipping less than normal. However, as a server, I will not lower my standard of quality of service guest I provide. While the tips may have declined over the recent months, guests are still tipping. As server by profession, I have to remind myself that no matter how big or small the tips are I am still appreciative that my guest chose to dine with our establishment at all.

sign me,
Big Tipper

1. They think they can get away with “winging it.” This expression comes from the theater; where it alludes to an actor studying his part in the wings (the areas to either side of the stage) because he has been suddenly called on to replace another. First recorded in 1885, it eventually was extended to other kinds of improvisation based on unpreparedness.

Being prepared for the customer interaction is important. Knowing what action you want the prospect to take based upon this sales interaction allows the sales person to focus. Having a strategy of what to ask, what to show and tell helps to move the prospect to taking the desired action. Anticipating obstacles to the sale will allow you to plan how to go around or over potential “roadblocks” in accomplishing your sales objective.

2. They don’t understand the impact of their personality on specific buying styles. This shows up in not really listening to the prospective customer and, instead, filling the sales interaction with sales talk. They don’t answer questions well because they don’t listen for the assumptions/beliefs that’s behind the prospect’s words. Their presentations are not in line with what the prospect wants to know. Being out-of-touch with the prospective customer’s personality style insures that the inability to communicate will sour the sale.

To improve your sales people’s ability to sell well, train and coach them on a proven sales methodology that allows them to prepare for every major sales interaction. Provide them an understanding of their personality’s strengths and weaknesses and how they can “read” their prospect’s buying style. Usually a sales person’s weakness, in the buyer’s perspective, is an over extension of a strength and can be toned down through self-management by the sales person.

More sales tips for good and tough times at: www.SalesTip.info

Great article and wonderful reference site.

People like to be appreciated! It makes a difference not only at a restaurant but also in the work place. Appreciation goes a long way.

Thanks for keeping us on our toes.

The TIP

Thomas K. Burke
Corrections Officer
Jackson