This past week I had the pleasure of dining at the Brentwood Restarant in Little River,SC.  Yeah, the food was calorie-laden delicious goodness, but what really took the experience over the top was Paul, our server.  He took what could have been simply a nice dinner out and turned it into an experience.  That is what sets a true customer service professional apart from the merely competant. 

That got me to thinking, why is customer service typically better inupscale restaurants than other kinds of establishments?  What makes the experience better?  If you take the ambience out of the picture, it boils down to skills, desire, an attitude of putting customers first, and paying attention to details. There is no reason on earth that these superior service skills cannot be applied to every business in America.  There are many reasons for you to bring your customer skills to the next level. Better customer experiences lead to business growth, what does that mean for you?  How about advancement opportunities? Improved self confidence? Better job satisfaction? Higher Pay? Or knowing you are making the world a better place?

So how do these service superstars do it?

*Leave your problems at the door – Your personal problems have nothing to do with your customers.  Think of your time on the clock as a break from your outside life.

*Know what is happening at work that day – If you don't have a morning meeting, ask the person in charge what you need to know for today.

*Know your stuff – Get good at what you do. Listen in on the best and brightest at your job and make their skills your own.  It'll get you noticed.

*Don't Worry – Be Happy, no matter what…Really! – Be freindly, positive, appropriately funny if that's your style.  WANT to be be helpful, it feels really good.

* Keep your focus on customers – They are all that really matters, Great servers never mind spending extra time with customers, Go ahead, make their day.

* Work like you are going for a big tip – whether you make them or not – Make every customer interaction an EXPERIENCE. This attitude will help you keep the right mind-set.