We have so many experiences every day. So what is so important about them? And, why should you care about what others experience? 3 reasons will explain why.
I've had this topic of experience on my mind after dining at one of my favorite restaurants recently. I thought about why I keep coming back. The answer came down to repeated positive experience.
But who created those positive experiences? Was it one person or multiple people? Has every experience been positive?
Do the principles that control why we decide to keep eating at the same places also control why we hangout with some people and not with others? The more I think about experience, the more I discover how vitally important it is for us at home, at work, and in life.
These 3 important reasons can help you no matter if you're trying to raise your children, sell a product, or even get a date.
1. People talk
You may be saying, "um, duh!!" However, think about what all great businesses have working for them -- positive word-of-mouth advertising. People talking positive about you, your product, or your business is advertising that you always want but can't ever buy. Think about a new restaurant opening. They usually put in the greatest effort to make good impressions on the first week of customers so that they create a positive buzz.
Let's bring this from a broad, business level to a more specific, personal level. If you're in sales, companies that buy your type of product will talk to each other. While they may discuss the merit of your product, the real discussion will be about YOU.
They'll talk about whether you can be trusted, if you're friendly, or if you dress appropriately. By the way, these will be some of the same things if you're trying to make a friend or get a date (especially that all important second date).
Just remember this, you're never just talking to one person... you're talking to every person they know.
2. It affects future decisions
Whatever someone's last experience with you was, is what will likely influence their decision about the next opportunity they have to interact with you. This is never more important than someone's first experience with you. To quote the old saying, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression".
(For tips on creating a great first impression check out this post: Do You S.E.E. Yourself in Sales?: 3 Tips to A Better First Impression)
3. It creates assumptions
Let's take a first time church attendee. What if someone, brand new to the church, walks through the front doors and receives a lackluster greeting by the volunteers. Then they sit through the service and afterwards are not approached by any of the members of the church. The new person leaves with a small handful of negative experiences.
What do you think they will say about that church? Anything positive? Not likely.
Are they right to do that? Maybe. Maybe not.
They may not have had the opportunity to meet the church members that are very friendly and would help introduce them to other friendly people. This could be because they attended when those people were on vacation or were simply caught up in conversations with members that haven't attended in a long time.
So, they formed an assumption about the church based on the interaction with a few. It happens. All the time.
I forget who said this but it holds true, "people do not care what your title is or who you are. Everyone equally represents your business or organization." This means front door greeters at a church and administrative assistants that answer phones hold the same representative value as the senior pastor or the CEO of the company.
So, don't just have a family fun night or a date night. Instead, have a family fun experience or a date experience!
Don't just have your team members give excellent customer service. Instead, have them give an excellent customer experience!
Don't just sell a product. Sell an experience!
Think of a time when were you the recipient of an excellent experience. What made it special?