I meet a lot of people as a traveling private chef. The people I’ve met are from all facets of life, at varying levels of success, with different educational backgrounds working in various industries. And it doesn’t matter how much they make, where they’re from and what they do for a living. They all want the same thing from the company or people they’re in business with; and that is a satisfying experience.
So how do you go about making a client happy? Here is my recipe for delivering a satisfying customer experience from start to finish:
1. Respond Quickly
Each encounter with a client should be positive and engaging. Start by responding quickly to the initial inquiry. That means as soon as possible and within 24 hours. This reaffirms for the client that they made the right decision and that you’re the right person for the job.
2. Be Professional
How you present yourself, your product and/or service is an extension of your business. How well you treat your customers, their colleagues, their guests, etc., matters tremendously. So, be respectful, be kind, and be professional. Remember, you never know who is watching.
3. Plan, Prepare, Execute
Everything thus far has been ground work, attitudes and mindsets that shape your business and set you apart from the competition. This third step however is the meat and potatoes. This is where the bulk of the work gets done.
No matter what line of work you’re in and how long you have been doing it you have to put in the work. Everyone wants to do a great job. But in order to get to that satisfying end result there are three things you must do; you must plan, you must prepare, and then you must execute. You cannot prepare if you don’t have an action plan and you cannot execute your plan if you’re unprepared. It’s really that simple! Put the work in so you can achieve the desired result. This is your recipe for success!
4. Be Appreciative
We live in a very competitive marketplace with tons of options for every product and service under the sun. Yes, you may be good at what you do, great even, but there will always be someone equally as good or arguably better. Take the time during your follow-up to let the client know you appreciate their business and value them as a customer. Doing this helps foster an ongoing and hopefully long-term relationship.
There’s a quote I like that says “People may forget what you said but they will always remember how you made them feel.” A truly wonderful experience makes a lasting impression.
I’ve had the good fortune to work with some really great clients and have received many rave reviews. Here’s one from a customer in New York City:
“We absolutely loved it. Chef Janet was amazing and really helped provide the exact experience I was looking to achieve. I work for the food network and have a lot of history dealing with chefs and I have to say that chef Janet was the pinnacle of professionalism. The food was outstanding and her ability to work with me on curating the menu made everything easy. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a great dining experience.”
Do you have an amazing customer service experience you would like to share? Post them here. To read more of my customer reviews visit JADE Jamaican Grill.
