LIL' BUDDY'S BLOG - SERVICE, PLEASE - SERVICE!
THE CHICAGO REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG!
Happy October, everyone! Have you dogs decided what how to dress up for Halloween? My thought is to wear a black suit, a cell phone around my waste, a Scream movie mask, carry a sickle, and go as "The Grim Realtor." My tail might give me away, however!
Have you seen all the Halloween decorations out on the houses yet? The other day, my Daddy, Team Leader Dean, took a walk with me. Here in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Chicago, and on Claremont Avenue, just around the corner from the Dean's Team World Headquarters - in a basement on Western Avenue - we counted over a dozen houses decorated for the season, with witches, ghosts, and skeletons. Boo!
You wouldn't believe who else we saw! SANTA CLAUS! One house down the street, on the 4500 Block of Claremont, had Christmas decorations up already - or, perhaps, they were never taken down from last year!
It seems every year the Christmas shopping season starts earlier and earlier! Geez, now I have to get my Holiday List together for all the little pups! The truth be known, however, I'm not a big fan of Christmas shopping.
For two reasons, mainly. First, most of us dogs are not really permitted to shop in regular stores. Even my favorite man store in the whole world - Circuit City - refused to let me in! Imagine - here I am, a dog of some means, with money in my Dad's wallet - not being allowed to buy man things with the other men! I tell them I'm a Service Dog - but they don't believe me. "You ain't no Service Dog," they say.
"Wrong!" I respond. Giving top, quality service to Dean's Team clients is a part of my job description - and I am very proud of that! Woooof!
There is another reason why I hate holiday gift shopping - POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE! Clerks are rushed, too long lines - no one takes the time to treat service seriously anymore!. Even away from the holidays, when was the last time you got great customer service from a retail store, or online? Bet it is rare - unless the only place you shop is Nordstrom (or the only Real Estate Team you use is Dean's Team!)
On the web, I checked out The American Management Association website, and an excerpt from DELIVERING KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF SERVICE, Third Edition, by Performance Research Associates. Third edition revisions by Ron Zemke. As a consumer, they suggest these tips to better your customer service experience this year -
1. Mentally prepare yourself to be well served! Walk up to a clerk with a sour attitude, chances are you'll encounter a sour attitude in return.
2. Show your personality! By being yourself, even a little bit, you increase the chances that the clerk or service representative will take an interest in you, and treat you with greater respect.
3. Don't Complain - EXPLAIN! A faulty product is rarely the service representative's fault. Explain your dissatisfaction - don't blame the rep for it.
4. Maintain Eye Contact! Although not possible over the phone, looking the store clerk in the eye increases the chances you'll be treated as a proper-breed dog, rather than just a mutt from the pound!
5. Speak Clearly About the Problem! State your complaint in specifics, and don't be offended if asked for clarification.
6. How Long Must I Wait for a Resolution? This is an important one! Pin down resolution time - or your problem will be resolved . . . WHENEVER!
7. Don't forget to say "Please" and "Thank You!' Just like your mother said, reps will be more apt to help you if they feel you're polite!
Figured I'd just get you ready, early in the game, for the upcoming Holiday Shopping Season. Hope this helps!
If things get crazy out there, you dogs, just give me a call! I'm usually on the couch, trying to bite off a piece of my humans' Potbelly Sub Sandwich.
YOUR ACE REPORTER ON FOUR PAWS,
BUDDY HOLLY MOSS
