"Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing. "
-- Abraham Lincoln

How A Restaurant’s Employees Drove Future Business Away

 

Here is a situation where the character of the employees was definitely not what what was desired…

My wife, Becky, commented to me that she had been in a fast food restaurant near our home and that she definitely was not positively impressed.  She said that as she started to enter the restaurant she had to walk around one of the employees who was lounging just outside the door smoking a cigarette.  When she got inside, the counter person did not greet her, did not even look at her, and acted irritated that she had come in and interupted a flirtation with another of the employees.  During the whole time when my wife was giving her order, waiting for her food, and sitting in the restaurant to eat, the counter employee carried on her flirtation with the other employee.  It was a very unpleasant experience for Becky.

As she related this experience to me, I couldn’t help but think that the employees had certainly not fulfilled the wishes of the owner of the store.  I’m sure that the owner wants the employees to act responsibly, showing honor and respect for customers and excercising discretion in their actions.  My wife contrasted the experience at this restaurant with her experience at another one where she was greeted enthusiastically and made to feel important.  She said that she would much rather give her business to the restaurant where the employees demonstrated better character.

I’m sure we have all had similar experiences.  I wonder how many times business is lost because of experiences like these.  Imagine the potential for a business whose employees demonstrate the character qualities of attentiveness, alertness, creativity, diligence, discretion, enthusiasm, …

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 Posted by at 3:43 pm

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