Two weeks ago my wife and I traveled to Eugene, OR for a family wedding. It was also our anniversary weekend so we spent a few extra days there in a beautiful bed & breakfast called C’est La Vie. I had reviewed several other B & Bs online and settled on this one for one reason: service. C’est La Vie is not the most or least expensive B & B in Eugene, but reviewers consistently rank it high in service. So we decided to try it out.
Two words: expectations exceeded. The inn is beautiful, the innkeepers hospitable, the food delicious, the gardens gorgeous and the list could go on. Then it occurred to me: Jack & Anne-Marie get it. Service still matters! Just because the economy has slowed and people don’t have as much disposable income doesn’t mean that businesses in service related industries can cut corners on the actual service! In fact, the only differentiator that mattered to me was service.
I’ve been to several businesses in recent months and left with the impression that quality service left when the market sank below 12,000. As if somehow service was a luxury that can be done without. Not the case. For your business to survive this recession, service must once again be a top priority. It’s the only way to ensure that you continue to get the referrals, contacts, sales, etc. that you need to stay in business.
