#243: Thanksgiving before expectations
This week we enter the period of gratitude and then we jump straight into the period of great expectations.
Actually, this is the correct order of things. Gratitude first, then expectation.
A common mistake we make is to withhold gratitude until we have received. In other words, until we can judge whether what we have received is worthy of our gratitude.
Imagine being served by a waitress who treats you poorly because she doesn’t know whether your gratuity will be worthy of better service. Or by a salesman who is aloof because he does not yet know how much you plan to spend.
Successful businesses don’t treat customers that way. They do two things differently. They are pleased to serve you before they expect you to reach for your wallet.
And their understanding of the word ‘expectation’ is different. They ‘look forward to’ you reaching for your wallet; they don’t act as if ‘it is their due’.
I’m JamesMcIntosh@nonsenseatwork.com
Copyright: 2008 James Henry McIntosh
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA
Actually, this is the correct order of things. Gratitude first, then expectation.
A common mistake we make is to withhold gratitude until we have received. In other words, until we can judge whether what we have received is worthy of our gratitude.
Imagine being served by a waitress who treats you poorly because she doesn’t know whether your gratuity will be worthy of better service. Or by a salesman who is aloof because he does not yet know how much you plan to spend.
Successful businesses don’t treat customers that way. They do two things differently. They are pleased to serve you before they expect you to reach for your wallet.
And their understanding of the word ‘expectation’ is different. They ‘look forward to’ you reaching for your wallet; they don’t act as if ‘it is their due’.
I’m JamesMcIntosh@nonsenseatwork.com
Copyright: 2008 James Henry McIntosh
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA
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