No company is perfect. Inevitably, employees will make mistakes. The impact of those mistakes on brand image is not necessarily related to WHAT happens as much as HOW employees handle a problem.
I encountered a situation that reinforces the importance of customer experience an how employee engagement matters!. While the issue occurred at a restaurant, the lessons are applicable to all companies, regardless of size and industry.
To Make a Long CX Story Short…
I was eating dinner at a restaurant, Bonds Tavern, which is known for its great burgers and milkshakes. While I was enjoying my meal, the waiter accidentally spilled food that landed on my lap and stained my jacket.
I did not make a big deal about the situation even though I was frustrated in the moment. The waiter clearly felt bad. Immediately, he gave me his manager’s email address to send my cleaning bill for reimbursement; I appreciated the offer and followed through.
The Value of Going the Extra Mile
Within a few days, I received a check in the mail to cover my dry cleaning expenses. While I anticipated reimbursement, I did not know the restaurant would also send me a gift card and coupons to save money for future visits.
In this case, both the waiter and manager turned a disappointing situation into a highly satisfying experience, and that’s what Doing CX Right is all about!
No company is perfect. Inevitably, employees will make mistakes. The impact of those mistakes on brand image is not necessarily related to WHAT happens as much as HOW employees handle a problem.
I encountered a situation that reinforces the importance of customer experience an how employee engagement matters!. While the issue occurred at a restaurant, the lessons are applicable to all companies, regardless of size and industry.
Customer Experience Lessons From My Restaurant Story:
1. Follow through on promises.
If you tell customers you are going to do something for them, take action and do so without delay.
2. Delight customers by giving unexpected surprises.
Even the smallest gestures can turn a detractor (unhappy customer) into a promoter (delighted customer) who is more forgiving when mistakes occur. Read more about CX Measurements and NPS
3. Make no excuses when mistakes happen.
Own the problem and address it directly.
4. Empower front line employees.
Give employees the tools they need to rectify situations without always having to go to management for approval. Read more about the importance of company culture.
5. Go out of your way to make customers feel like they matter.
Authenticity and empathy go a long way.
The Bottom Line
When companies apply CX best practices, there is a higher probability that customers will return even when mistakes occur. Given the way the situation was handled, I continue to eat at Bonds Tavern. As a result of my referrals to new customers, I am confident that the restaurant ended up bringing in more money than it spent to address my frustrating experience.
Do You Have Any Similar “OOPS” stories?
If yes, how did the company handle the mistake, and did it impact your decision to purchase again or refer? Please comment below as well as join conversations on my Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Let’s keep the conversations going.
If You Like This Article…
You may enjoy my other article featured in Forbes called, “Customer Experience Best Practices When Mistakes Happen.”
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