Today I’m going to discuss what a customer should mean to a business. Again I’ve just returned to my office from a day of makingpurchases, paying bills, having lunch etc. etc. Today I was the customer and I’m rather disappointed. A customer shouldn’t have to apologize to a merchant for “interrupting” whatever it was they were doing so they can serve their customer.

So when I got back to work, I went straight to our lunch room bulletin board and read something I had posted for our people many years ago. I’d like to share it with you all and it goes like this.

Eleven Commandments of good business
A customer… is the most important person in any business.
A customer… is not dependent on us- we are dependent on him.
A customer… is not an interruption of our work- he is the purpose of it.
A customer… does us a favour when he calls- we are not doing him a favour by serving him.
A customer… is part of our business- not an outsider.
A customer… is not a cold statistic- he is a flesh and blood human being with feelings and emotions like our own. A customer… is not someone to argue or match wits with.
A customer… is a person who brings us his wants- it is our job to fill those wants.
A customer… is deserving of the most courteous and attentive treatment we can give him.
A customer… is the fellow that makes it possible to pay your salary whether you are a truck driver, plant employee, office employee, salesman or manager.
A customer… is the life-blood of this and every other business.
Well business people, are you guilty of any of the above? Think about it.

One last thought… It takes months to find a customer… and seconds to lose one. Until next time folks. Enjoy the summer and we will catch you next month.

By Gary Demke