Strawberry Fields Forever Remind Me of Excellent Customer Service
I'd like to relate a little story of a customer service experience I had while traveling on business. I had to do a promo show in Long Beach (for customers who will be meeting in Sacramento the following year, I often travel to the current year meeting to help promote next year's meeting or convention to help generate excitement). I had decided to drive down and after being on the road most of the day and sitting in traffic on the 405 for about 2+ hours, I finally arrived at my hotel in Long Beach.
As I was checking in and chatting with Mario, the front desk clerk, I set my box of strawberries on the counter. (I had stopped at a roadside stand on the way down.) He mentioned he liked strawberries so I offered him a basket. At first he said no, then after a little prodding about how incredibly juicy and sweet they are, he gave in and accepted my offer. It's really hard to turn down a California-grown strawberry. As I was waiting for Mario to finish signing me in, he looked up, smiled and said, "I'm going to upgrade you to a bay view room!" Now that is what I call CUSTOMER SERVICE! Completely unexpected, but definitely appreciated.
I'm telling you this because this is exactly my attitude when I do my job as convention services manager. I get questions every single day about Sacramento meeting facilities, downtown Sacramento hotels, plus events, attractions and just fun things to do in Sacramento. I help suggest venues for off-site events, provide a comprehensive calendar of events, and materials for convention attendees so they can make decisions on where to eat, shop and enjoy the city.
Often, it usually just takes something small for the person to be happy and satisfied - a common connection, a smile, anything really. I love to make someone's day and in the end, when the customer is happy, I'm happy.