Ricky’s Online Business Blog

In customer service, perhaps there are three kinds of attitude that we can adopt.

We can be obedient to the customers and obey whatever they ask us to do.  Tell me what you want and I’ll do it for you.  If you don’t tell me anything then I will not do anything for you.

We can also be of service to the customers and serve them in their needs and wants.  Is there anything I can help you?  I have become more proactive in serving you.

We can also be “loving” to the customers by giving them our “love”, not only our service.  We are here to bless you and make your life better.  We will serve you even if you are not (yet) our customer.

We know a business exists not only to earn money for its owners or shareholders. It seeks to create “values” for all stakeholders.

It gives value to the employees as a good employer and workplace, to the customers as a provider of goods and services value for their money, to the owners for their effort and money well invested, and to the society at large as a responsible corporate citizen to help in sustainable development.

Similarly, why do we individuals exist in this world? Why are we born into this world? For what purpose? I believe, apart from coming to eat and drink, to work and enjoy life, we are here to create values for others.

There’s a Chinese saying that “a tiger dies and leaves its skin, but a man dies and leaves its name” (虎死留皮,人死留名). When we are gone, we will not take away any wealth and materials earned in this life. But we will leave a “name”, or better called our “legacy”.

But the “name”, “legacy” or “reputation” left is not for our interest, but it’s a by-product as we seek to fulfill our purpose in life. And I believe our purpose here is to bless others, that is to bring good things to others, to create values for others by our existence on this earth.

And to be able to give values to others, I’ve been taught not to always look inwards to myself too much, but to look outwards to pay attention to what others need.

This is just what I have learned. I don’t want to be just a traveler in this world, and I’m learning to be a blessing. Let’s create values for others!

Recently a customer wants to find someone to maintain his web site using a content management system (CMS). It’s a simple, non-technical, long-term part-time job.

I contacted a freelancer friend and he promised to to contact the customer to meet up. Two weeks later, he had not yet called and told me he lost the customer’s number.

I gave him the number again and expected him to call soon. Still, weeks later until now, when the customer complained me that my friend has never called him!

This little incident reminds me of being faithful at work. That is being a good steward of whatever given to me to produce results.

I have been given talents, skills, expertise, time, opportunities, some capital, networks of customers and other valuable resources. I should not squandered these resources away but use them for the benefit of others.

Even if I’m not very talented and I have only very few resources. But if I could remain faithful and still make good use of them, I can slowly expand my circle of influence. Then I will be given more resources.

But if I don’t make good use of them, even these resources could be taken away.

So when I am called to serve, like this friend being given an opportunity, I should serve faithfully. Then I know I will be given more opportunities to serve.

Do you think I will still recommend this friend again for freelance work? I don’t think so.  He has wasted his opportunity.

As for me, I never followed up after passing the case to my friend. I have not been a good steward of his trust extended to me. Will he entrust me again for anything?

Brian Tracy quotes Elbert Hubbard’s definition of self-discipline as, “The ability to make yourself do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.” He said self-discipline, self-mastery and self-control are the basic building blocks of character and high performance.

Successful people are disciplined people. They are in control of themselves, in particular:

Successful people master their moods – They do things they should do even when they don’t feel like doing it.

Successful people watch their words – They control their tongue so as not to say anything wrong.

Successful people restrain their reactions – They are proactive in choosing their response to situations.

Successful people stick to their schedule – They control their time or their time will be controlled by others!

Successful people manage their money – They spend what they should and live below their means.

Successful people maintain their health – What’s the point to win all the world only to lose our body?

I confess there are many areas for me to improve. Let’s strive together for success!