Wear your sandals!

Foreword:
Two weeks ago we asked you to participate in a survey on employee satisfaction with regards to feeling appreciated at work. You can click on the link below to see the results. The password is: prophit.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/sr.aspx?sm=W_2bJmBkaYxU_2bhEmodQ4pntPnLnPsD_2fdizDPl0wo2_2biAU_3d

 This past weekend I participated in an activity that I love. A close group of my friends floated down the Peshtigo River on inner tubes. The ritual is simple. The three couples tie their tubes together and place a cooler, also in a tube, in the middle. It’s a lazy river ride for three hours. I love it because the only thing you can do is talk about things. Some people feel uncomfortable with this kind of entertainment but I love it.

I have taken trips like this almost every year for the past 10 years. This trip I decided not to wear my Keen sandals … bad idea! As the day began to get warmer, I decided to jump off my tube to cool down. The water appeared deep. I couldn’t see the bottom so I jumped out. I found out quick that the riverbed was five feet below and something very sharp was on the bottom that shot up into my foot. I am now working at home this week. I can’t walk on it for at least a week. I usually wear my Keens when tubing so why not this trip?

I think I became too comfortable with the routine. I wanted to feel the water between my toes unencumbered by sandals. This reminds me of life in business as well. We assume our relationships with clients and vendors are “all good.” We get lazy which leads to complacency. You need to be on your game every day. Decisions need to be made that are smart. Services need to get better not decline. Bottom line: When working with your clients, don’t forget to wear your sandals!

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN: Challenge your team. What else can be done to enhance your customer experience factor? This exercise will empower your team and wow your customers.