How do you say hello?
Over the past week or so I have been noticing how people say hello, and how I say hello to others. Hello. Such a simple word and yet, such a powerful word. How we say hello to others initiates our tone that at many times begins the customer service process.
If you are a morning person like I am, saying a cheerful hello to someone can really make their day. I’ve seen people pay it forward after I gave them (for lack of better words) a meaningful greeting.
Don’t you hate it when you walk into a store and the clerk doesn’t even acknowledge your existence? Instead of giving you a hello or a hi or a welcome, you suddenly become The Invisible Man. You don’t exist. Maybe they’re too busy talking with another employee, restocking a shelf, or texting a friend. People can always blame their boss, their job responsibilities, or their overall work environment for forgetting the simplest of acts that initiate good customer service, a hello.
The next time you have one person on the phone, another one on hold, and an inbox full of e-mails to answer - don’t forget to say hello to that person who walks in your office. If you can’t say it, give them a wave, a smile, or a thumbs up.
Whatever you do, take the time to acknowledge your visitor. Let them know that you know they are there. Make them feel welcome. You never know when your hello can brighten up a person’s day.
