Fun, Fun, Fun!

I had a great opportunity recently to work with a company for an employee meeting. U-Gas and Dirt Cheap (same company) is a convenience store and liquor store chain based in St. Louis. Part of their mission is that they create a fun place, not just for the employees but also the customers. They want their customers to have fun!

They have business cards that have “Fun! Fun! Fun!” written across the top. They give away heart shaped candy to customers on Valentine Day. They give away Mardi-Gras beads during Mardi-Gras. You get the idea. Customers have fun when they shop at U-Gas and Dirt Cheap – and so do the employees!

So how does the fun factor into their success? People like to come back. That’s what U-Gas and Dirt Cheap strive for. They want their customers to love to do business with them. They work hard at keeping the employees motivated and incorporate fun programs that make the customers want to come back.

There are lots of strategies you can and should incorporate into your customer experience strategy, and FUN could be a good one!

Shep Hyken, CSP is a professional speaker and author who works with companies who want to develop loyal relationships with their customers and employees. For more information on Shep's speaking programs, books, tapes and learning programs please contact (314) 692-2200. Email: shep@hyken.com – Web: www.hyken.com – Click here for information on The Customer Focus™ customer service training programs (www.TheCustomerFocus.com).