Tuesday, February 18, 2014

A Year of Kindness - Challenge Week 7

Last week's challenge was to send out a card to someone in need. I did get one posted to the person I mentioned in the post as well as a few birthday cards posted. Another one in the mail this morning. So that part of my kindness campaign is moving along. But I need to find some time to get creative and make more cards! My stash is getting mighty thin. Were you able to send out some love via the mail?

Initially when I planned this weekly challenge, I thought I would gather ideas and create a bunch of posts and have them scheduled to auto-post to my blog every Monday. Obviously, that didn't happen. First off, I haven't had time to create a bunch of posts. Second, I've found that creating a new post each week allows me to be more organic about what I choose to put out as a challenge. It allows me to see what comes up in my own life and react.

So, my apologies for being late this week. I spent most of yesterday out doing the research necessary to purchase a new washer and dryer and simply did not have time to even consider a blog post. But it was my experience in making that purchase that inspired this week's challenge.

This week's challenge is to compliment a helpful sales clerk or attentive wait staff to their manager. It is great to tell the person who helped you what a great job they did. But if you also seek out and let the manager know, it helps that person with job security, raises, promotions, etc.  In fact, Barbara posted about this just two weeks ago!

Our sales person at Sears, Liz, was knowledgeable about her product line, walked us through the pros and cons of various options, and knew which machines had the best ratings from Consumer Reports. When we asked questions she didn't know the answer to, she was able to look up the information quickly. The shopping experience was quite pleasant (despite the fact that I really did NOT want to spend money on new appliances!) and I felt we were able to make an informed decision. We thanked Liz for her help.

I then sought out her manager and let him know what a good job she had done. He was appreciative to hear the positive feedback, but also asked me to do him a favor and go online to the website listed on our receipt and fill out the satisfaction survey.  He told me that it is those survey responses that allow them to give employees recognition, promotions, etc.  Well, I did just that when I came home. The survey was all of three questions and took less than two minutes. I rated Liz as "outstanding". I hope it helps her!  I also grabbed my last Kohls receipt and filled out the survey for that one too!

And yes, it is still a winter wonderland here!
I know that people are generally quick to complain and voice negative feedback for bad service, poor quality, or shoddy workmanship. This week let's try to catch someone doing good and complement them for it!

6 comments:

Karen said...

I almost always try to find the front end manager at my favorite Wegmans when I get particularly great service. I know most of the comments managers get are negative ones, and I also know the cashier does get recognition for it. Despite all my card making, I rarely have exactly what I want when I need to send a card. It's hard to get ahead!

Barbara Eads said...

You are so right about what little it takes to pay someone a compliment. I have to admit, I've been given those websites for customer satisfaction surveys but never really did them. I'm going to from now on---as you say, it takes so little time. Let's get a happiness movement going!! When you think about the satisfying things that happen every day, it shouldn't be to hard to start focusing on them!! I'm going to make it a habit!

Missus Wookie said...

Sorry you had to buy new appliances but I'm glad it was relatively painless :) This one could be tricky for me... I really don't like shopping and don't plan on going anywhere this week! But I'll bear it in mind for the next time I do.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for my beautiful birthday card. This week's challenge should be a doddle as I try to always give credit where it is due in shops as people are always so quick to complain but never compliment.

Melissa said...

What a great idea for this week!

Miriam said...

I always pay a compliment but never fill in those 'how did we do?' cards, but I will now. Your picture and quote is really beautiful and would make a nice postcard...