What we say and what our customers hear can have two totally different meanings. Be aware that many phrases that are used daily might need to be considered as to whether or not what's being said is leaving the best impression. Here is an example—the customer is paying for their purchase and says to the person handling the check out, "thank you."  Sadly, 9 times out of 10 the person checking them out will say, "you're welcome" and leave it at that. Isn't this backwards? The customer is thanking the seller?! This is such a pivotal moment in leaving the best, last impression. Although, "you're welcome", is a nice phrase, if the customer does not receive a sincere, "thank you", the "you're welcome" feels like and sounds like, "NEXT." 

When considering how all team members represent your business by what they say and how they say it, these statements below offer some reflection on what not to say. 

First impressions are paramount since they are highly accurate; how you are instantly evaluated can make or break your success. And you have heard before that a first impression is made within 5 seconds, but I believe it’s faster. Why? Personal experience– I get a feeling about something or a situation within 2 seconds (don’t you?). The science- 20 million billion bits of information move around our brains every second, and it calculates sounds, sights, smells, taste, touch, and thoughts in every moment at the same time (from The Phenomenal Experience). This means we need to up our game and make sure that we control the impressions that we are making.

I was raised to care deeply about the lessons my parents instilled in me in regards to manners. They were completely inflexible about me saying "please" and "thank you."  It was expected that I would address adults with terms such as "Yes, sir," "Yes, ma'am," and "Mr." and "Mrs."  My mother also taught me how to write a proper thank you note, and to this day, I will still write three paragraphs, just like she taught me. So why do I mention all of this? Where have manners gone?  In the hospitality industry, one would hope manners matter and would get the focus it deserves with people serving people. Yet, still, we are often surprised with the poor manners displayed around us in the service industry.

"Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use." Emily Post

You've messed up. That new customer did not catch you at your finest moment, and you are embarrassed. You want to recover. But wait- first impressions are everything, right? It's true that they do have a lasting impression, but you can take swift action to start the recovery process so that you can make a better long-term impression. That way, your first impression is not the last impression.

In the last two months we had two very different hotel experiences in two different beach towns. The impressions that were left with us are so contrasting. I have now truly realized how my overall happiness, like many of today's travelers, is driven by the experience rather than the money I spend or save. There is much for every business to learn from this, which I will summarize after you first read the snapshots of our two hotel stays...