Service as a Tattoo

My nephew came home after his first semester at college sporting a brand new tattoo—the Greek letters of his new fraternity! His parents were less than amused. We teased him with the question—“How would you feel today if that tattoo said VBS?” “VBS?” he asked with a puzzled look. “Yes, you were crazy about Vacation Bible School ten years ago?!”

“Oops!” he responded rather pensively, “Guess I better always really like Sigma Chi.”

Tattoos come in many forms—some are works of art; some are body graffiti. Some are dark and scary; some are colorful and happy. However, unless you have the money of an Angelina Jolie, tattoos are permanent.

Service is like a tattoo. Once you make a mark on your customers, they tend to remember it a very long time. And, their experiences can be as varied as tattoos. What picture are you engraving in the memory of your customers? If your service was a tattoo, what would it look like?

Chip R. Bell is founder and senior partner of The Chip Bell Group headquartered near Dallas. Dr. Bell is the author of several best-selling books including his newest book Take Their Breath Away: How Imaginative Service Creates Devoted Customers (with John R. Patterson). John R. Patterson is president of Atlanta-based Progressive Insights, Inc., a consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations effectively manage complex culture change built around employee and customer loyalty.

Courtesy of Chip R. Bell & John R. Patterson
(www.chipbell.com | www.johnrpatterson.com | www.taketheirbreathaway.com)

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