Your dentist knows if you’re flossing

I know I’ve done it. I acknowledge the importance of flossing and commit to my dentist that I’ll floss twice daily over the next six months between cleanings. Then, as my appointment nears, I’ll realize how inconsistent I’ve been and make a special effort to floss in the days preceding my visit.

During my oral exam, not wanting to put me on the defensive, Dr. Gates will generally ask me a non-threatening question such as, “So, how have you been doing with your flossing?”

That’s when I say something convincing like, “Uh… Can you repeat the question?”

Dr. Gates already knows the answer.

This week is Customer Service Week and, similar to my flossing analogy, the customer already knows if you’re serving.

Even if service providers rise to the occasion in the shadow of a prominently displayed Customer Service Week banner, customers know the reality: Customer service across industries is pretty mediocre.

Despite the hoopla, banners, and buttons lauding the importance of customers and customer service, the reality is that many customers at participating companies will remain underserved this week, as they were last week, and as they will be next week.

Besides, shouldn’t every week be Customer Service Week?

Some companies will spend more time and effort staging events in preparation for Customer Service Week, October 4-8, than they will spend celebrating customers and delivering exceptional customer service during the remaining 51 weeks of the year.

And, just like Dr. Gates, the customer will know.

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  • http://iterativepath.wordpress.com Rags Srinivasan

    It reminds me of a plumbing company in Colorado that answers phone always with, “how can we make you smile” and W hotels that answer phone with,
    “Whatever, Whenever”

    Sometimes we seem to think that making these rigid rules for our frontline employees conveys great customer service. May be it is a manifestation of underlying service culture but more often than not it is flossing the week before dental visit.
    -rags

  • http://www.stevecurtin.com Steve

    Rags, or when the Best Buy “greeters” have their backs to you as you enter. I rarely feel welcomed as I enter Best Buy – even when the employee looks over his right shoulder and says, “Welcome to Best Buy.” I get it – his primary function is security. I just disagree with the execution. Why not reposition personnel in a way that allows them to authentically perform both functions? Alright, enough ranting. Time to floss… Happy Customer Service Week! ; )

  • http://iterativepath.wordpress.com Rags Srinivasan

    You are right on Best Buy -make eye contact and greet with everyone who enter as it is more likely to stop shoplifting.