By Nat Crawford
When I was a child, my grandmother would put her arm around me and say "The best is good enough for us!" I never thought much about that phrase until I understood the value stream.
According to studies by Gallup, HR Solutions, and Press Ganey, 60% of workers are unengaged. They simply show up to do their required job. 15% of workers are working against the organization. Only 25% of workers are bringing their best to the job. This is the norm and it is getting worse.
If today's standard was my grandmother's, her motto would have been "Okay is good enough for us!" That's hardly inspiring or desirable. It is easy to add purposeful value to your customer's value stream.
Eric Fisher, salon owner and professional educator, has the highest grossing salon per square foot in the United States. His 1,200 sq/ft salon grosses $2 million a year. Eric believes a client's daily journey is the value stream. "Every client is a consumer who travels, virtually every day along what is called the value stream...Such a journey can be pleasant or not so pleasant, depending on the value stream that the business has adopted."
At the Eric Fisher Salon they add value whenever opportunity arises. They offer free non-appointment bang trims, hand-massages, makeup touchup, neck massages and more. Eric tells each employee "Be remarkable. Be outstanding. Be memorable. Spend the last three minutes of an appointment by performing one value-added service."
Each business, each person can add value. If you sell paining, frame it for free. If you are a car salesman, throw in free car washes for a year. If you are a realtor, offer a gift certificate after the sale. Regardless of your career, you can add value to people in their pocket book, and most importantly their psyche.
The more you give, the more you get. That's the value stream!
Is the best good enough for you?
Labels: cornerstone leadership solutions, Eric Fisher, free, gallup, hr solutions, press ganey, Salon, value stream
