Ok, so you have the following:
- Great photography skills – check
- Awesome photography equipment – check
- Outstanding order fulfillment process – check
- Stellar web site – check (well, depends on who designed it!)
- Great Search Engine Optimization – check

Does that all really make a difference you if you do not have exceptional customer service? Think about it for a moment. Every now and then, I will receive an email/phone call from a client regarding their web site. Sometimes I stop and ask myself, “I wonder how they treat their customers?” or “If I was their customer, would I recommend them?”

I remember years ago going through a ‘morale building event’ at work. Our manager introduced us to the philosophies of Seattles Pike Place Fish Market. Of all places, a fish market! The four key points of Seattles Pike Place Fish Market philosophy are:

* Play – have fun and create energy at home or at the office.
* Make their day – how can you engage fellow employees, customers and make each other’s day?
* Be Present – How can you make sure you are fully available and aware during conversations with people? It is about create a greater sense of intimacy between individuals.
* Choose Your Attitude – Each day you choose how you are going to act or which “side of the bed” you wake up on. The choice is yours and, the way you act, affects others.

Hence, the book – Fish! by Stephen C. Lundin

You may or may not have employees that work for you. But stop and think about the level of energy, excitement, dedication and customer commitment created at Pike Place Fish Market. How is your level of customer commitment ? Is it part of your check list ? (thanks Lawrence for the friendly reminder and yes, I love seafood!!)