Sometimes, business lessons come to us
in the strangest ways....even over lunch,
with shrimp tacos I didn't order....


This week was fun. My husband had vacation 
and we decided to do a "stay-cation" since we
are new living at the beach and having "july weather
in January...."


We saw movies...went whale watching...had manicures
and pedicures (yes, he loves being pampered, too!) Enjoyed
lunch and dinner out, coffee and more!


And, we went wine tasting in Santa Barbara, 30 minutes
up the coast on Friday. It was so cool, we walked
3 blocks to the bus stop and took a luxury motorcoach
($6 each round trip, no kidding!) complete with wi-fi
and electric device outlets right to downtown Santa Barbara.


We shopped, dined, wine tasted and diligently looked for
THE perfect place for lunch.


We found it and I excitedly ordered the grilled whitefish
tacos with a stellar sauce....and waited....with great anticipation...

(I know, you wonder what this has to do with BUSINESS, so
stay with me!)


When lunch came - ACK - the plate had grilled SHRIMP tacos
and no whitefish to be found....anywhere.


Now, I am not a shrimp fan, by and large. Don't hate 'em,
don't typically order them and never eat more than 2.


It's a "texture thing." You might be able to relate.
I've met others who do.


Anyway, there is almost nothing I despise more than
sending food back in a restaurant as a "disgruntled, picky
customer." 

I think you know where I am going. There is a fear of what
might come back and whether the "bitter kitchen crew" might
be "mean" to your new order....


I know, none of us like to go there, but.....

When I gently summoned our server over and told her, she
was extremely apologetic. And, immediately went to correct.
Before she left the table, however, she said to my husband -
"Do you want these? You are more than welcome to eat them
as they will just go in the trash!"


I've never experienced that before, and he was thrilled!


Shortly after, my sizzling hot fish tacos arrived, covered in
a fabulous sauce and I was - ONE HAPPY CAMPER.


When our server delivered our check, she did so with another 
heart felt apology, and $5 off our bill, just for my "inconvenience."

I was blown away; thanked her and told her that she REALLY
didn't need to do that. 


Here is where the business lesson kicks in -

To succeed in business, here are a few things we should 
always concentrate on:


Create WOW in your encounters.

Under promise and over deliver.

Apologize when you are wrong.

Work hard to create raving fans!

Do all of this sincerely.

Here is the thing -

My lunch was good. I waited extra time for it, and I
was hungry, but they WOWED me, so I got over it.
A simple mistake wasn't a big deal, but they made me
feel like a million bucks and no remorse for letting them
know the error.


They created A RAVING FAN!

In fact, so RAVING that I have shared this with
over 10,000 people so far.


By the way, the restaurant is Sandbar, on State Street.

How can you learn from this in your business?


Work to create raving fans. It's not that hard, really.

Just go the extra mile. Reach out, build relationships and
get to know people. 

Work to make things right, always.

And, be yourself.

Here is an "oldie but goodie" blog post I did a few years
back about how to REALLY connect and build relationships
on Social Media.

Building Relationships on Social Media

And, remember that it works the same OFFLINE.

Get your own agenda out of the way. My server did...well..
sort of....because of course she got a big fat tip!


And, while we all have things we secretly wish for,
we learn that there are ways we can get those AND
serve our clients and "would be clients!"


Know your own"benefit statement" and live by it!

PS - Do you have a topic or question for an
upcoming podcast?

Ask them on the facebook page!

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