Finally, I have found a way to incorporate one of my most passionate, enduring opinions into a legitimate opinion article.
Pickles are a vile creation whose pimply, green exterior drips with nauseating vinegar-based juice that contaminates its surroundings. I realize this opinion is not widely held, especially by sandwich-making cashiers at delis on campus, but when I order my Santa Fe chicken sandwich WITHOUT the pickle, I expect a smile, a nod and a perfectly pickle-free plate.
Yet, no matter how many times I politely order this exact meal, emphasizing more and more the ""without"" part, my wishes are no one's command. I end up wasting someone else's disgusting vegetable and multitudes of napkins while I siphon the infiltrator off my plate and venture to salvage the rest of my meal. Because no one listens to me, I end up wasting materials and money, cursing employees, and feeling the rain from the storm cloud that now follows me around all day. What a pickle.
Now before people suggest that I have a chat with Dr. Phil about my pickle phobia, I would like to point out that anyone can be particularly picky about purchases as customers. And no matter how crazy the customer is, the old adage will always ring true. The customer is always right.
Unfortunately, this accommodating customer service mantra does not seem to be a priority on campus as the year winds down. Other than my weekly pickle incidents, I have noticed a general decline in employees' friendliness and listening capabilities. I understand that the weather is nice and finals are looming, which means summer is right around the corner. I also understand that one's school-year job is becoming more of a burden than ever, especially if you have to deal with picky pickle people like myself.
But summer also means, for most seniors, the beginning of the rest of your life, and for the rest of us, an opportunity to build that snappy resume. However, snappiness and that successful rest-of-your life scenario depend on those simple listening and smiling skills that have been on sabbatical.
With today's economy, getting and keeping a job is a sticky situation. Clearly, UW students have smarts, some kind of motivation and a tip-top educational experience to make them competitive in the job market. But the qualities that will make students desirable and successful are the ability to flash those pearly whites, have a positive attitude and carry out orders. According to a consumer tipping study in the Journal of Consumer Research, patrons give larger tips to servers who introduce themselves by name and display a large smile. Worker friendliness was the top indicator for tipping size, along with bill size.
It is not hard. We are not angsty teenagers anymore with irrational mood swings and rebel mindsets. We are pre-professional and somewhat more mature. We know what's up and that the current attitude exhibited at school jobs and other menial moneymaking college tactics won't cut it.
Instead of flipping the ""on"" switch this summer and hoping that the charismatic dazzle returns, I beg everyone in the workforce to start practicing now. Beneficial rewards will ensue. Attitude is everything. Your superiors will notice, and could write a truthfully complimentary recommendation. Listening better will also avoid mistakes, waste and angry customers' curses. And most importantly, doing your job well and with a smile creates success.
Take, for example, some of the highest rated customer service companies, like Apple, Southwest Airlines, Nordstrom and The Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts that also happen to be some of the most successful. Southwest Airlines is one of the world's most successful airlines, carrying more passengers for combined international and national flights than other U.S. airlines, posting its 37th consecutive profit in January 2010. Also at the end of January, Apple experienced its highest revenue to date at $15.68 billion from $11.88 billion the previous year. Part of maintaining this success in difficult economic times, according to an article in BusinessWeek detailing the reasons these companies rank high in customer service, is paying attention to what customers need anticipating those needs, and then exceeding them. For many of these companies, excellent customer service equals unparalleled profits.
Practicing excellent customer service now will enhance the possibility for success like this in the future. For workers and potential professionals, don't forget about the true importance of these wise, yet obvious and seemingly nauseating sayings, especially in the here and now: The customer is always right. A smile a day keeps the crabby customers away. And, lending an ear is the stitch in time that saves nine.
Melissa Grau is a freshman intending to major in secondary education and communication arts. We welcome all feedback. Please send all responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
