Welcome back to my "what does that mean" series. I am quite behind my intended cadence of these. It is on my yearly goal list to be more punctual with my writing. I expected to finish my service discussion around the holidays so the message would be seasonally appropriate. clearly, I didn't make it happen. Service is something to consider every day, not just during a season. Allow me to elaborate.
Service
A noun and a verb. Depends on intent. Let's explore intent a bit.
Service as a noun. "That was a nice service". Something where we remember someone. Something to exemplify a person or organization perhaps. A "service" can be the backup system you interface with at work. Sometimes this type of service is a noun and verb at the same time I think. Often, not used in friendly terms. "What do you mean the backup didn't work?!"
Service as a verb, my favorite. Service to other, help them, make life or work better for another. You can "serve" someone unkindly too. Maybe in a Tennis match. Perhaps you deliver a court summons. Those can be not so nice.
I want to look at service to others in context with my general philosophy.
Customer Service
Everyone has a customer. Anyone you hand off something to is your customer. This means the mail carrier is your customer. Try and keep those addresses legible would you? Or at least mention if the box is heavy and oddly balanced.
You are also a customer. Someone serves you in your place of business too. Yet, you can serve them back. Have you noticed how Amazon, apps, and other retailers endlessly ask for reviews and opinion? This is your opportunity to serve your server. Especially if what you received was sub par. Feedback is the customer's mechanism for improving what they received. If you aren't giving feedback and asking for it, you are missing a component of service.
So for today, do a thought experiment about who your customers are. Are you serving them as best you can? Are you giving feedback? What do you do with feedback you receive? Stat somewhere with asking these questions. The answers can only help you.
