Do you touch the heart of your customers?

Okay, I admit that after I wrote that title I realized that might be interpreted in the wrong way.

So let me explain.

I've been reading and thinking lately about the world we find ourselves in today. The economy is tight for everyone. I'm sure you don't need to see the latest news headline to tell you that things are difficult for a lot of people.

As a restaurant owner or manager of a restaurant you know on a greater level just how this economy is affecting your business and your customers.

And it hurts, doesn't it?

The natural reaction for many in such a time is to pull back from the pain and get into a ball and avoid that which hurts.

Now in your business, the reaction could translate into you curled up in a corner on your restaurant floor.

Okay. You're right, that seems unlikely. You're an entrepreneur after all, and you like people. So what you need to guard against is avoiding or being distant from, even grumpy with, your customers.

This reminds me of this blog post I read some time ago:

How Every Touch Counts

It gives a real world example of how, in this web enabled world, making a bad impression on a customer can go a long way towards making business especially hard for a business owner.

Some of you may read that and see the negative in all this connectedness but there is a positive as well. And that is what I want you to focus upon. You see, all this connectedness also means the good stuff gets out for all to see.

First and foremost when a customer walks into your restaurant search for the good in them knowing that there is good there. In fact you should work at see everyone in this way, start with your staff if you're not already. Then impart this attitude to your staff.

People are worth knowing. Come on, say it with me. People are worth knowing.

Practice that each day with the people that choose your restaurant as a stopping place for their daily routine.

Take time to touch them on a personal level.

Sunday, is a great example. I ate at a favorite restaurant of mine, Zeko's Mediterranean Grill. - Great food if your in the area. - While there with my friends and family I learned something about the business that I didn't know. The restaurant was named after the son of the owner. And get this, the son was taking the time to go around and chat with all the patrons, trying to see if they needed anything, helping remove used dishes, and just shooting the breeze.

What was most interesting to me was that I would have to peg this son's age in the range of twelve to fourteen. He is an uncommon young man in that he wasn't shy about helping out or engaging the patrons in chit-chat. And that is a lesson I think we can all learn. Step out and engage. That human touch is one of the things that endears Zeko's to me. That and the wonderfully seasoned beef, and the fried vegetables, and... oh snap, I just made myself hungry.

Anyway, the point is don't hold back finding ways to touch the lives of your customers. It doesn't have to be in some big way either. Not only will you encourage them but they will encourage you.

The result will be customers who share their experience with their friends on Twitter and the other unique social areas of the Internet.

They will be your champions. You're business will win out for it.

I'm Harold for Sell More Meals [dot] com.

And remember, we can help you tap into and reward those loyal customers, helping you multiply them and discover new customers for your restaurant.