A Great Source of Learning

“Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.” – Bill Gates

Do your toughest customers spur you on to be better or do they ruin your day and cause you to be bitter?

Just as in any of the challenges that we face in life…our toughest customers have the potential to bring about some of the greatest learning experiences we will ever encounter. It all depends on the attitude and the resolve we decide to approach the situation with. I recall a sign in my parents restaurant growing up that listed why customers leave and don’t come back. And the biggest reason was an attitude of indifference of an employee. As a young boy I didn’t really get that. But now I certainly do.

Those that are committed to succeeding in what they do will never express an attitude of indifference to a customer. Even if you don’t agree with what they are saying or even if they are totally wrong…you won’t express an attitude of indifference. You may ask them to leave or you may have to tell them there is absolutely nothing you can do, but at least you will be honest with them and they will know exactly where they stand. It is the uncaring or the patronizing comments that customers can read through and do not appreciate.

So the next time you have to deal with an extremely difficult customer or person in your business or in any aspect of your life; ask yourself, “What can I learn from this situation?” Because there absolutely will be a lesson in it if you are open to it. And if you are open to learning from it the difficult person you are dealing with will not experience an attitude of indifference from you.

Colossians 3:23-24 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Have a blessed day,

RodZ

© 2008 – Rodney Zimmerman – All rights reserved