I never thought I’d walk out the door so fast…
Here’s a little story about customer service and why it matters to your business.
A few years back, I took myself out of the traditional banking system and opted for online-only banks.
Yet, once every couple of years, I need something from a physical bank, and it’s a pain not having one.
Last week, I had such a situation and decided to head downtown and open a new bank account.
I used to bank with Chase.
They’ve always been fine.
But, I decided to try Bank of America. (Something new)
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In my wildest dreams, I did not expect what happened next…
I walked in to find a banker, but no one was inside.
No other customers, no tellers, no bankers… not a soul.
I waited...
A few minutes pass.
I noticed a door that said “employees only” propped open right next to me.
"Employee’s only?" I thought... "Who’s gonna stop me from walking in there?"
So secure.
A few more minutes passed, and no one showed up to help me; I walked out.
The next day, I went to a Chase branch.
The building's interior and exterior were sleek, clean, and warm.
A banker greeted me immediately and helped me open a new account.
I got what I needed in a reasonable time, and I felt welcomed.
Precisely like 90% of all my other experiences at Chase have been.
The experience with both banks made me think that all those things I took for granted about Chase were unique to them.
(I can't believe I wrote that)
Plus, it dimensioned Bank of America's brand in my mind.
It's not a good thing, given Chase is the industry leader who's 25 billion in revenue bigger than them.
All this judgment based on a likely a fluke.
But it created a risk that made me appreciate what I had known.
It’s a good reminder of how small things matter and how they cause us all to make snap judgments.
Snap judgments are not always true. They are snap judgments, after all.
But being true or false doesn't matter.
What matters is what an interaction makes your customers think and do.
Want your business to grow?
Maximize the number of interactions that cause your clients to do what you want.