- cow from Crestock Images
Is it just me–well this week it probably is–but has anyone else noticed that companies large and small are building brand awareness and creating a culture for their business at the same time? For instance they have their own vocab that’s unique to their brand, some awesome tees that the staff wears, they may even have out-of-this-world email marketing campaigns (that are just too funny), and a way to make you feel right at home (by letting you throw peanuts on the floor).
It’s All Good
Since I started my journey as an entrepreneur I’ve found myself paying close attention to things like branding. I’ve gotten pretty good at predicting who will do what, and how. I know that when I call Moosejaw Mountaineering to ask a question, any question, the person on the other end is going to answer the phone something like this: Thanks for calling Moooooooooooooooojaw (I lose it every time).
Or if I go to Texas Roadhouse one time or three hundred times in a row they are going to ask me the same silly question: Is this your first time here? I don’t know, it could be a PMS thing, but as of yesterday I think I’d had enough of that. Why shouldn’t a brand recognize that I’m a repeat customer? That is very annoying to me, and this could possibly be the reason why…
I have a natural gift for remembering small and obscure details about people, and let’’s mention the fact that I make a concentrated effort to listen to the other person as they speak, pay close attention to what makes them tick, and that I really truly am a people person, most of the time. Now there is the zero tolerance for caca-de-vaca, which adds a little extra spice to the mix, but all in all, I really enjoy interacting with people.
Back In The Day
For those of you who don’t know, I am a former sales associate, turned server, turned esthetician. I tried my hand at pushing papers back and forth, but my real passion is the consumer. I am no saint, and yes there are consumers I’d rather not deal with, but all in all I find real happiness in helping people.
Being in the service indy has been very good to me. It has afforded me many opportunities. I’ve met really cool people, traveled to nice places, and made some decent money along the way. Let me give you an example: I was able to pay off all of my debt including my car while waiting tables in Atlanta, attend cosmetology and massage therapy school, meet and marry my hubby* (poor thing married the help, lol), travel to a few cool places, ohhh and meet Mr. Cuba Gooding Jr. (when I bartended/waitressed at the Bucket Shop Cafe, in Atl).
Brand New
The companies that I gravitate towards have a few things in common, and exceptional customer service is one of them. Oh, and they are fun. Here are a few companies that I really like:
Moosejaw Mountaineering: I am not even an outdoorsy person, but they make me consider it.
Schedulicity: They make it easy for clients to do business with me.
Sole Sister Shoes, Rochester: Diane is a Shoeologist, and accessories expert.
Jacobson Department Store: If only for a moment to go back in time. This is where I got my start in retail.
Are there brands that you love? Feel free to post them.
Oh, and this list may grow throughout the day;)
*Before my hubby I’d never ever dated a customer. Some wise person once told me “You don’t eat where you take a dump” (I know I can’t make stuff like this up). So after we started dating, to keep it strictly business he stopped coming to the restaurant where I was working. I just thought it was better that way.
