Customer Service: A Meaningful Experience

2012-10-15

As DECA students, we have been taught about the necessity to build a relationship with our customers. Whether it is a friendly smile, remembering a customer’s first name or a helpful hand, these are the small things we do that keep a consumer coming back for more.

Until you work in an industry or own a business yourself, this rule may not seem that essential. However, as an entrepreneur, this is my Golden Rule.

This past month, I was able to leave the college world for a weekend and return home, only to delve into the exciting events of the fall season. This means pumpkins, and lots of them! For the past eight years, I have sold pumpkins at the Farmers Market in Port Washington, Wisconsin. As a child, it was hard to miss me at this event. After all, most of the vendors were adults, selling their fresh produce or beautiful homegrown flowers. I, however, was the pumpkin expert, and for the adults, it was something they did not see every day.

Since that time, I created a clientele. One family visited me at least twice from Chicago every year. Another individual bought my pumpkins each week, although we already knew the squirrels would consume them. Some customers bought from me because I took the time to explain the different variety of squash, how to prepare them and often a guarantee they would love the new variety, if they would just give it a try.

However, one of my favorite customers is William. I remember the first time I met him on a blustery day when he was just a baby. He was tightly bundled in a blanket to escape the Wisconsin weather. Over the past several years, I have seen William’s smile as he picked out his favorite pumpkin. Each year William’s mom would take his picture in the storefront pumpkin display I created. This year was no different. Though William is older, he still smiled proudly at his mom in the pumpkin display.

Meeting with returning customers I had not seen in a year made the weekend special. I enjoy hearing their stories because I care about who they are personally. Through the years, I have learned this is important when you are developing customer relationships.

We all grow up, we all change, but in the end, we remember the relationships we have made. As you strive to thrive this year, build your own meaningful relationships. They will only allow you to gain more from your DECA experience.