Speed fights service
“I think we have grown too fast. I see it in the service.”
My friend made this comment over the weekend, as we were sitting in one of my favorite restaurants in Bentonville. The place was busting at the seams with people, and this caused our server to be non-existent. It wasn’t the server’s fault, as the speed of the restaurant that night, too many too customers with too little people, killed the service.
My friend was in leadership at a successful company that has exploded in the last 10 years, and he was referencing NWA in general, how good service now stands out, as it is rare.
Because of the population growth and the rapid expansion of all things, many new businesses are opening in the area. But, in the midst of the speed of growth, individual service, one-on-one, employee to customer, is what stands out. And, most businesses are running so fast because of the growth, service is lost.
People will shop it, try it, at least for a time or two. But, the only thing that will sustain the business is service. After all very few businesses are differentiated. Maybe initially, but followers are quick to emulate. Technology, process, strategy, model will all be copied. The true sustainable difference will be service.
Speed is inevitable in families, businesses, calendars, churches, life. When speed arrives, service is at risk.
Serving your spouse is destroyed by the speed of life. The calendar becomes full and attention to the most important person in your life becomes secondary. The result is distance in a marriage.
Serving your team takes a backseat because of the speed of business demands, meetings, and calendar overload. The result is a fragmented culture and turnover.
Business culture is taught rather than caught because the void of service due to speed. Churches lose track of serving the congregation because of the speed of growth.
We are all guilty. If you reflect on the different areas of your life, speed is eating your lunch in at least one area.
Service will not naturally happen because of a family or corporate value. Speed is too powerful.
Service comes down to personal stewardship, being personally accountable.
Excellent service is delivered by an individual, one-on-one. When a business gives the personal touch, loyal consumers are made.
Today, we will all face the speed of life and business, but we will also have that moment today when the conversation or opportunity comes to serve another. Maybe it is the conversation with a spouse or teammate. That moment when speed is pulling, but someone needs to be served.
Prioritize others.
Impact others. Live generously.