Poor Business Lingo

When someone asks you for something are you the kind of person (1) to do it or (2) do you point out where they can find it or do it themselves? And, which of these people are your employees?

Today I had an encounter with a food industry employee that made me chuckle. I asked her which meal was which (the example could be vegan versus vegetarian or sausage versus ham sandwich, you get the picture). She told me "it is marked". So, if you are a kind, polite, non-confrontational person you now begin the search for "the mark". If you are a tad more assertive you may ask the less-than-stellar employee to still TELL you which is which (perhaps she can't find the mark either!).

Either way, it is important that you teach your employees FIRST by example. SHOW them how to respond to this common question. But also, teach them why their first response (as above) may not be the one desired by you (the boss and paycheck signature). Help them understand desirable responses versus undesirable ones. Do some role play in training. And, you've read me advocate for this before.... send in the mystery shoppers. You need to know what your employees are saying to your customers and how they are responding. I bet your competition knows.