How many of you have a favorite dry cleaners, plumber, landscaper, restaurant?  What keeps you coming back?  What inspires you to tell all of your friends?

As I was preparing to write this article I began reflecting on the people I do business with and the one’s that seem to stand out from the crowd as providing memorable service.

We have a contractor whose name is Brian.  You can set your clocks to him.  If he says he will be there at 8a.m. by goodness he is walking in our door at 8a.m.  If he estimates that the job will take no more than three days he makes that so.  His word is his bond.  Not only does he do great work he always brings an upbeat attitude and is always looking out for our best interests.

You may recall from an earlier article about Troy, the owner of my local butcher shop and deli, treats each of his customers as if they are part of his family.  He will always come up to me and say:  “Just got this new product in – you have got to try it.  Here take one as my gift”   or “Hey Nikki I have created a new barbeque sauce here is some brisket have some.  If he see’s me waiting in line he will always open another cash register so that I do not have to wait.  His primary focus is to “wow” me and every time I walk into his store he accomplishes his mission.

Inspired by some of the small business owners, as demonstrated above, I have asked myself:  What could I provide my current clients that would be memorable?  It is fascinating that when you ask the right question all sorts of ideas come to mind.

Lately I have found that many of my clients are interested in re-examining their core values, purpose, mission, and vision.  Even though these services were not “contracted” for when we began our work together since I seem to have some gifts in this area I have freely offered to help my clients with these processes.  What would take most consulting firms several months to accomplish the task I have been able to help facilitate the clarification needed within a few phone conversations and an exchange of several e mails.

In the process of looking for how I could be value added and provide memorable service to my clients I have discovered a new service offering that Starquest could provide.  This might become a profit center in the future.  For now it becomes one of the ways that I can distinguish myself as memorable in the minds of my customers.