by Wendy Harmon on March 8th 2012 (10:11AM EST)
Every Thursday NWNC Today brings you What's Up With That?, an insightful look into what's happening around us; socially, psychologically, and mentally. How are things in today's society affecting the way we think, work, play and/or conduct business.
Today we're going to be discussing customer service, or the lack there of (as demonstrated in the photo above). You probably hear your parents or grandparents talk about this a lot (or you yourself may recall), when customer service was a common occurrence and not a passing phase. I can remember when I would be with my grandparents and they would stop at the local Sunoco gas station on Bridge Street in Elkin. Not only would an attendant come out to greet you (no matter the weather) and put gas in your car, he would also wash your windows, check the air pressure in your tires and check your fluid levels. Today I'm lucky if I can get the outside machine to read my card or when I do go inside have the cashier actually look me in the eye without her rolling them (you know, how dare I interrupt her while she's texting her friends while on the job!). These events seem like they happened on different worlds, not the same county in a span of less than 30 years! I truly wish I could state that this is an isolated incident, but the truth of the matter is it happens everyday all around us. There's a lack of respect for each other that is growing day by day. Who's to blame? Technology, big business, employers, employees, that guy that cut you off in traffic, or society as a whole? Honestly, who's to say 100% what the correct answer is, even if there is one! But, the truth of the matter is that each one of us as an individual is part of the problem and a part of the solution!
Remember my previous article on Responsibility with the fool, the wise man, and the brilliant man? I hope you do since it was posted the day before ;) Again, we need to take responsibility. If you don't take it then your only adding to the problem that we all dislike very much. With an attitude of, "It's not my problem.", "That's above my pay grade.", or "Well, that's just the way things are done now." I call BS! Attitudes and views like this are what is compounding the problem! To fix the problem take responsibility and fix your attitude. Whether it's your problem or not, fix it! Even if you can not fix the problem wholly (I can understand management issues) at least get the ball rolling so it can be fixed! Don't think something is being done to the best of its abilities, speak up! Things will stay the same if you remain quiet. Silence gives consent. If you're tired of the status quot it's up to you to change it. Here's a news flash, businesses need YOU! If the business (no matter how big or small) lacks on customer service and it makes you unhappy, then stop giving them your business. If they're belittling your value, why do you increase theirs? No business can run without customers, and without customers there is no income, no income means no need for employees, and finally complete failure of a business.
So, if you've ever been one of those people who thought, "That's above my pay grade" or "It's not my problem", it better become YOUR problem, because the individual (customer) whom you've just ticked off is truly who controls your paycheck!
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