Category: Celebrity

So, from time to time, in business, sparks fly among the employees. If people are disrespectful, racist, sexist, demoralizing, condescending, etc., I will immediately have a real problem with it. But on the other hand, if the cause for the concern is a good dose of passion, and the other negative factors I mentioned are not part of the equation, I see it as good.

When the store is staffed full of passionate people, sparks are bound to fly from time to time. Usually people are passionate because they care. That is certainly better than dead fish that don’t care. When an employee wants to give his or her customer a great experience, they are passionate. When an employee wants to be sure the transaction is legal and ethical, they are passionate. When an employee is good at what they do, they are passionate. And , when an employee thinks another employee does not care, they can become extremely passionate.

I personally have an amazing team that truly cares for the guest and for the business simultaneously. They care that they themselves are treated fairly, and at the same time the guest is treated as royalty. They often feel respect for their fellow coworkers and think of many of them as their own family. This fact also makes each of them proud to be a part of an amazing team.

When we surround ourselves with passionate employees, the sparks are bound to happen. However, it is up to the management team and myself to ensure a fire does not break out from the sparks. So, let them fly, but be willing to air the concern in private and be quick to restore all relationships quickly.

 

So, in sales, it is always about the relationship. I am followed by many new people on a regular basis on the business social media, LinkedIn. It never fails to amaze me, that after 10 seconds of accepting a follower, they send a private message trying to sell me their product or service. I literally delete the message immediately and never consider their offer. It is analogous to meeting someone for the very first time and saying, “my name is so and so, would you like to get married?” How ridiculous?!?!

If you want to sell a particular product or service, get to know your prospect. Find out how you could truly benefit them, not just sell something and benefit yourself. The more time you spend getting to know someone, the more they will like you (assuming you are not annoying, have good hygiene, good manners, and are genuine). The more they like you, the more likely they will buy from you. YOU. MUST. EARN. IT!

No one wants to be surprised with your great offer. We don’t like it when someone jumps out of the bushes at the mall and tries to evangelize the lost, because it is out of place. No one likes a cold call at dinner time promising a free cruise, because it is out of place. No one meets a stranger and suddenly wants a lifelong commitment of marriage, because it is out of place. Consider the relationship the next time you want to “sell” someone on your product or service, because as for me, I do not want to “get married” if it is all about you.

Imagine yourself at your place of business, and suddenly a celebrity walks in. What happens next is simply amazing. All of the staff have a heightened awareness of every move the person makes. There is a sense of wanting to make the person feel comfortable. The celebrity is called by their name and offered a beverage. Extra customer service is given. More smiles are present. Everyone in the facility shows respect and gives attention to the celebrity’s every need.

WHAT IF! What if we treated each guest as if they were a HUGE celebrity. What if, when a normal unassuming person walks through the door, everyone employed at your place of business treats that guest as if they were the biggest celebrity ever?

Soon, and very soon, there would be such anticipation from the public to visit your place of business based on word of mouth advertising, that you would have to expand. People from all over would want to work there. You would be surrounded by employees who genuinely care to make each guest feel like a King or Queen.

So, what are we waiting for? If we make each guest feel like a celebrity, soon enough we will be elevated to one ourselves, as people love other people who make them feel important.