Excellent service enhances the quality of life both for employers, employees and consumers \u2013\u00a0it is universally beneficial.<\/p>\n
So how can we ensure that when something succeeds, it is repeated? And how do we make sure that when something goes wrong it is fixed and the poor design is changed to prevent it from happening again? Or when the problem is beyond repair, how do we make the most of the distasteful service experience?<\/p>\n
As a researcher, teacher, keynote speaker and service management consultant, I have the opportunity to walk deeply into the field of service. The walk offers a chance to wear my \u201cservice glasses,\u201d which provides greater understanding of situations. Maybe what these \u201cdiscerning eyes of service\u201d see can help consumers, business owners and service providers.<\/p>\n
The discerning eyes of service are not judging. They simply see service unfold in millions of steps similar to a slow-motion film scene. This clears and magnifies service like a dissection. The new magnified sight reveals opportunities for what I call the philosophy of Doing Better Than That, or DBT\u00b2 for short.<\/p>\n
Though service engineering and design are essential, the root of service is based on personal experiences. Studying personal experience and the engineered systems together help forge improvement. Typically we judge what we receive based on some moment, experience, advertisement or past event. If the current product or service improves from the past standard, that creates a genuine transformational-service experience of DBT\u00b2.<\/p>\n
Some personal examples of DBT\u00b2 enhancing service:<\/p>\n
Service situations vary greatly due to the people, process, and product value of the service experience. Experts can create service systems, but what produces\u00a0 a transformational-service experience is discretionary innovation on the part of the service personnel working along with the system. Usually,\u00a0DBT\u00b2 experiences are not costly to the business and include simple discretionary actions. For example, the way Shirley welcomed me to Bojangles\u2019.<\/p>\n
DBT\u00b2 service is linked to a more productive economy and a better functioning world. For the business entity, the service provides a large return to the company by transforming a returning consumer into another payment for the business. For consumers,\u00a0DBT\u00b2 experiences improve and enhance life through making transactions and interactions enjoyable, hassle-free, and a value enhancement.<\/p>\n
DBT\u00b2 experiences will keep you returning to wonderful greetings and more chicken biscuits for breakfast, and to humming\u00a0vacuums for a stress-free clean car. They will let you witness random acts like that of Henry. And for those situations that may not be pleasurable business visits, you will seek those who understand skillful orchestration of care.<\/p>\n
For service providers, it is always necessary to ask: What could we do today to allow someone to experience a transformational\u00a0DBT\u00b2 service experience?<\/p>\n
For everyone in general, try the discerning eyes of service and see how you can improve\u00a0DBT\u00b2 in your own acts, opportunities and deeds.<\/p>\n