Best in Show - Part One

Hi Janie here again with another guest blog - thanks SIO for letting me revisit you. Business advice from someone who knows.  35 years of helping and running businesses means I've seen most mistakes and learnt so much.

Tips 1 -  5

They say first impressions count and they do, but also the last memory can be the one that sticks.

How many times have you been served in a shop or at a fair by someone who made you feel you were a burden to them,  waited an eternity while being ignored or listening to staffs idle gossip, or left feeling as though they were rushing you out?

Simple rules go a long way when serving a customer, be it business to business or business to consumer.


1. If busy make eye contact with the waiting client within 30 seconds or less. Note the order of the waiting clients to ensure you serve in turn.

2. Listen to what your are being asked, do not assume.

3. Manage expectations, if you do not know when something is back in stock be honest, offer to take a phone number and call them on arrival of the stock or suggest a realistic alternative. Never suggest something totally different, it insults the person.

4. Smile, it is free and makes people feel welcome and valued.

5. Manners, try saying please and thank you!

Common sense is all it takes, when did you last look at your business through your clients eyes, it might be worth doing. 

SEEK IT OUT: Changing the world a stitch at a time
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