BIG Mistake!

The holidays obviously mean different things to different people and, of course, we each celebrate in our own ways with our own traditions. They seem to help cement memories and also further bond families. Of course, this isn't always the result, but I think the "hope" is always there, year in and year out. Hope for peace, not just on earth, but within our own homes.

My fourteen-year old daughter discovered the joy of giving this year. Most of her gifts were home-made and she was so excited to share with those that she loved that she could barely contain herself. Much to my joy, she revealed that she cared much less about the gifts she was getting then she remembered from the past. I told her that that was part of growing up. She anxiously bestowed gifts upon her siblings and parents, hopeful that they would like what she had chosen or made for them. It is a beautiful thing to see this coming of age happen to one of your children.

I, too, feel like my daughter: the joy of giving always supersedes the receiving. While shopping last week for one final gift, I asked a salesperson if she had a certain boot in a particular style. She was rather crass and short with me and said, "We are sold out." I asked if she could check at other stores, she shook her head, without even a second thought, said, "Those were very popular and are now sold out across Southern California." She didn't bother to make a phone call, check on a computer, or even bat an eye. I felt like Julia Roberts, in Pretty Woman, when she went shopping and was barely given the time of day.

The store where I was shopping is known for its impeccable customer service and quality merchandise and I was prepared to pay for both. Additionally, the salespeople work on commission. I decided to quickly say goodbye to this rude sales person and begin again with someone else, within the same department. My needs were met and I purchased additional items because my stay and how I was treated was considerably improved. The previous saleslady watched on pitifully, as I paid for my multiple purchases and I felt like saying, "You work on commission, right? Big mistake. Big, Huge..."

How often do we forge through a sale or pitch without really listening to the customer/client? As soon as I realized that the boot my daughter wanted was so popular, I knew she wouldn't want it and I was ready to explore other options, but I was viewed as a "dead sale" now. Big mistake. Offering professional insight and mindful listening leads to greater customer satisfaction and client relations. Relationship building is often forgotten when we fail to listen. The corners of the mind hold keys to successful business relations, but only if they meet in the middle.

© by rayannethorn

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Blake Cannon on December 28, 2009 at 3:41am

Well put Ray Anne!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dan Nuroo on December 28, 2009 at 7:22am

Hey Rayanne,

This post strikes a chord with me on a couple of levels. My kids, albeit younger, get really excited when giving something, although they do struggle to keep the fact they have chosen something quiet. That said the focus is still on where the next present is coming from, even now it being 3 days after Christmas :)

The second part takes me back to my days as a new professional (2-3 years into my career). You remember the times, here I was in a relationship, we were both earning money after years of borderline poverty going through university, out for dinner with 3 other couples in basically the same situation. We went out for dinner, as was the case when there was 2 incomes and little responsibilities. At this restaurant, no one wanted to look at us, serve us.. nothing. We obviously weren't their key demographic. I remember the guy taking our order, he literally didn't even look in our direction as we were giving it.. I kid you not. The restaurant wasn't that big, I thought we were pretty hard to miss, but miss us they did. Quite possibly in the top 10 worst dining experiences we have had EVER. Now we are probably closer to their key demographic, but we will not go there, and neither will our friends, or anyone else we tell this story to.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ejiro Enemigin on December 29, 2009 at 5:20am

Reading this blog emphasized one of the most important lessons a role model taught at the beginning of my career "Never look down on any candidate or client no matter how low your opinion of them(at that point) is" and it has helped. Candidates who were poor fits for a particular job turned out to be good sources of Information for other vacancies! I could go on and on about how I have thanked God for not writing someone off in the first instance. Good job Rayanne!

@Dan
"Now we are probably closer to their key demographic, but we will not go there, and neither will our friends, or anyone else we tell this story to"

I guess that explains why some recruiters wonder why certain choice candidates or clients would have nothing to do with them (-_-)

Dan Nuroo said:

Hey Rayanne,

This post strikes a chord with me on a couple of levels. My kids, albeit younger, get really excited when giving something, although they do struggle to keep the fact they have chosen something quiet. That said the focus is still on where the next present is coming from, even now it being 3 days after Christmas :)

The second part takes me back to my days as a new professional (2-3 years into my career). You remember the times, here I was in a relationship, we were both earning money after years of borderline poverty going through university, out for dinner with 3 other couples in basically the same situation. We went out for dinner, as was the case when there was 2 incomes and little responsibilities. At this restaurant, no one wanted to look at us, serve us.. nothing. We obviously weren't their key demographic. I remember the guy taking our order, he literally didn't even look in our direction as we were giving it.. I kid you not. The restaurant wasn't that big, I thought we were pretty hard to miss, but miss us they did. Quite possibly in the top 10 worst dining experiences we have had EVER. Now we are probably closer to their key demographic, but we will not go there, and neither will our friends, or anyone else we tell this story to.