What would your Grandma think?

This week, I’m sharing one of the tests which I have found to be very great framework to think about customer service in our business.

Here's a sure-fire way to determine how "what you say" will sound to the customer before you say it… a way to "test your talk" so to speak.

PUT "GRANDMA" AT THE END OF EVERYTHING YOU SAY.

What?

Every time you speak to a customer, end it with "Grandma" -­ if it sounds like something you would say to your grandmother or your grandmother would want to hear, then say it. If it doesn’t, then don’t say it.

How would this sound?

1. We're closed, Grandma.
2. Next! Grandma.
3. What is this about Grandma?
4. It's our policy, Grandma.

 
This is the best real-world self-test I've ever found. If you wouldn't say it to your grandma, why would you say it to your customer? There are lots of phrases you use every day that irritate customers and you have no clue until you insert "Grandma" at the end.

Take the five phrases you say all the time and add "Grandma" to the end. How do they sound? Now call your grandmother and run a few by her.