Do you ever wonder how your customers really see you?

Most of us think that we are near perfect employees. That our customer finds us friendly, helpful and charming, but is our perception a reality?

Remember the movie ‘What Women Want’ starring Mel Gibson? It wasn’t until he could hear what women were really thinking that he discovered he wasn’t the smooth operator he thought he was.

OK. There’s no way that I know of that will actually let you hear what customers are thinking about you at work, but this version of a competition shop might bring you a bit of self-awareness.

Go to a business where you don’t know anyone and is similar to the one you work at. 

1. Notice what it feels like to be a customer there. Take your time and see how the employees interact with customers.
2. What are they doing really well? (maybe even better than you do) Seriously, steal those moves for yourself!
3. What would you do differently than them? Was there anything someone did or said that made you cringe a little?

Now comes the tough part… Self-evaluation.

1. Make a habit of looking at your business the way a new customer might see it. Be honest!
2. Are you doing or saying anything even resembling something that made you cringe during your competition shop? Now would be a great time to break that habit.
3. How can you absorb some of the good practices you admired into your daily routine?

Lastly this experience is not meant to be a covert operation.  Tell your co-workers about where you went and what you saw there.  Maybe it will inspire them to ‘hear’ what customers may be thinking about them!