WHAT'S YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS SERVITUDE?
Guess what? In One Way or Another, You've Been a Servant Your Entire Life. But Servitude Can be Fun...and Great for Business.
By Gary Christensen
Does the word "servitude" conjure up in your mind visions of being made to scrub floors in a hospital...or wash dishes in a restaurant...or smash rocks with a sledgehammer? Those are definitely some "hard ways" to earn a living. I can think up several more pleasant ways to earn money.
What about a soldier...or a congressman...or even President of the United States? Are they not said to be "serving" their country? Aren't' they called "servants of the people?"
Can you see where this is going? All of us...from the time we were kids or teenagers (being told to listen to parents and do what you're told), to being in the military (obeying the commanding officers), to being employed (following instructions from supervisors)...must "serve" in some way and fulfill the needs of someone else. Those who are "in charge" are the Masters and we are the Servants. Someone once said, "We are either serving our own needs or we are serving the needs of others."
There was a period of seven years in my life when all I did was "look after my own needs." It was fun. I had very few responsibilities. But, looking back on it, it was a lonely time, because I had no one to share the good times with.
After that, I began noticing a certain young lady and married her. Then, my primary focus was on her and doing what I could to meet her needs and make her happy. I gave in to her wishes, went where she wanted to go, did what she wanted to do. When she was happy, I was happy, too. Maybe I didn't think of it like this at the time (probably because I was in love) but she was in charge and I was there to serve her needs.
Then along came our son, Paul, and now, when I come home from work, his needs have to be met. Daddy is now available to play with him, to cheer him on when he hits a fly ball, to teach him how to tie his shoes, to scold him when he does something wrong, to be there when he comes to me, needing a hug. He's the one who needs to be served. That's our job. His parents are here to serve his needs.
As an employee, I am paid to work for my boss and to do the things he gives me to do. When I'm running my OWN business, the Customer is King. I work for the people who bring me their orders. I am here to serve my customers--that's what Customer Service is all about).
So...what's your Attitude towards Servitude? You've been a servant all your life...or you will be, at some time, for someone, whether you're serving the needs of your parents, your spouse, your child, your employer, the Military, the government...or your customers.
Here's a test: A customer calls and asks if you can drive over to his place of business and pick up his order and then deliver it back to him when it's ready. Do you (a) Try to make excuses, (b) Try to tell him you don't offer pick-up and delivery or (c) Get in your car and hurry on over to his place of business?
What about customers who are trying to contact you? Do you have a phone number in all of your ads? A fax or pager number? A place where messages can be left? Do you have your full mailing address and email address printed on all your brochures, letterheads and catalogs, making it easy for customers to contact you? If customers have a hard time reaching you, they may give up and take their business elsewhere.
Our store recently designed a special red, white and blue "Closed for the Holiday" sign to put in our window because we would be closed both Friday and Saturday, July 3rd and 4th. It was a large sign, very colorful and had a large U.S. flag as part of it. I was impressed with how it looked. We offered it to other store owners, printed THEIR name on it and passed it out for Free (and our store logo was on each one, too).
It ended up in quite a few store windows in our downtown area. It helped the other businesses, by meeting their need, even before they realized they had one. It also helped put the name of OUR business in quite a few downtown stores, too. Some of those businesses might come to us to create other signs for them because that sign was also a sample of the kind of work we do.
Always try to determine what the needs of other people are, maybe even before they do. Try to give personal attention to every order you receive. If customers want to see a sample first, try to accommodate them. Do what you can to make them happy. "Serve" their needs. It might result in more and larger orders.
Gary Christensen is a Freelance Writer and Self-Published Author of eight books and 100+ Original Reports. His newest report, "The Best Ad to Place Anytime, Anywhere." and also his "HomeMoney Newsletter" are both completely FREE for the asking via email--Garch6@aol.com
Any 25-word ad will be emailed to 500,000 Internet users for $45. Write to Gary at:
Gary Christensen P.O. Box 2411 Corvallis, OR 97339
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