Most people operate under the belief that the customer should always come first. But I have a radically different idea. As a business owner and business coach, I have found that more success stems from the belief that employees come first. Let me explain the thinking that brought me to this realization.

When you treat your employees well, you demonstrate how to treat others. And your employees learn by your example how people should be dealt with. This idea follows the "trickle down" theory: How you respond to and work with one group impacts how they work with others.

So, in other words, when your employees are happy, your customers will be as well! The best way to get a good reputation for excellent customer service, is to provide an excellent, supportive and positive work environment for your people. After all, the company IS the people who work there. And, happy employees work together better, are more motivated and productive.

Here's a perfect example. I was thinking about buying a new car and went to the local BMW dealer. The salesmen, Bill, spoke to me for a while, going over the car's benefits and details. Then, he took me out for the test drive. While driving, I asked him what he thought of the dealership.

Bill's smile widened as he began filling me in on how much he liked his current job. It was a lot different than other car dealers where he had worked previously. The BMW dealership was very good to their people, recognizing and rewarding the staff and clearly communicating with everyone involved. Bill said that it was a wonderful place to work.

This explained a lot to me because Bill was an excellent sales person who treated me right, was friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Bill did job his job well, but was also a pleasure to work with. Excellent service came easily to Bill because he was happy to be there and happy to help. This was the perfect example of the trickle down theory in action.

So what can you do to put your employees first? What methods can you use to improve morale, treat your people well, and create the atmosphere that builds on itself as a positive force? Your efforts will be rewarded as you set a new standard for customer service by the way you handle the people who work for and with you. Start making your employees a priority and watch your company's reputation soar!

Author-Paul Lavoie is the Owner and President of Action Business Advisors, LLC, an ActionCOACH Business Coaching Franchise located in Shelton, CT. To help develop a great team that takes outstanding care of your customers, call Paul at 203.954.0035 x 11 or paullavoie@actioncoach.com

You will have access to creating service orders on line, Access to expanded Do-It-Yourself documents, end user training videos, demos of the latest Data Security solutions, and much more...

Thank you for your continued business and trusting Pilothouse Communications with your vital business communications. We are here to be your business partner in all communications- voice/data/video security.

Sincerely,