Walmart was the first business to require all its employees to wear nametags. (There's a surprise!) Sam Walton created this initiative because he wanted his customers to "get to know the people they bought from."
But the value of employee nametags spans far beyond getting to know people, it's all about being approachable. So whether you work in retail, hospitality, food service or sales, to wear a nametag is to be on stage. To be on stage is to be ready to serve your customers. And to be ready to serve your customers is to do your job effectively.
Here are several ways nametags will help your employees maintain an accessible, comfortable business environment.
Accessibility
I have a bad habit of putting too much hot sauce on, well...everything. Recently, after I wolfed down a Tobasco covered bite of my cheeseburger, I realized that I desperately needed a refill of ice water to regain feeling in my lips. My server walked right by, but unfortunately I failed to get his attention because I didn't know his name. Why? You guessed it: he wasn't wearing a nametag! No water for me! Fortunately I chugged down my date's ice tea.
Tip # 1: A nametag makes it easier for customers to gain the attention of an employee from whom they need service. Without it, the customers will either find someone else to help them, or won't get what they need.
Comfort
Imagine you walk into a store. You browse the aisles for a few minutes and decide that you'd like to speak with a sales associate. You look around, see a few people, but nobody appears to be an employee. After wrongfully asking and embarrassing a few strangers who don't actually work there, you get frustrated and leave the store. As you walk out the door, you complain, "Darn it! Doesn't anybody work here?!¨
Tip # 2: The most important rule in retail is to "make a friend in thirty seconds." The quickest and surest way to do this is to inform and remind customers of your employees' names. This promotes self-disclosure and creates comfort in the conversation. And when you put your customers at ease, the sales process will be more personable.
Synergy
Have you ever started a new job and didn't know everyone's name until the third month? Or what about the organization for whom you've contributed ten years and still don't know the name of that curly haired girl from the second floor? Let's face it: people are terrible with names. It's the single context of human memory most apt to be forgotten.
Tip # 3: Especially for organizations with hundreds of employees, nametags for your teammates will only ease their pain and contribute to a synergized workplace.
Ambassadors
Another invaluable benefit of nametags is that they will transform your employees into ambassadors. It will make them walk their talk. Ask people who work in real estate, they wear nametags every day! Some agents even wear two nametags: one on their shirt and another magnetized to the side of their car! Now, silly as that looks, remember this: everyone will know that Shirley is a representative for Gundaker.
Tip #4: A nametag immediately identifies an employee as an ambassador of the company. As such, it keeps her accountable for her behavior while she wears it and promotes good word of mouth for the business.
Branding
Your nametag is just like your company's billboard. Except it's free and people will actually look at it for more than four seconds. So, when customers or clients work with your employees, they will be exposed to your logo, colors and brand identity. As a result your nametag turns into an effective medium for free advertising.
Tip #5: A well designed nametag will constantly keep your company's brand, logo and corporate culture in the minds of your customers and prospects. Because it's not who you know, it's who knows you.
Fun
Nametags are fun. Kids like them. Adults like them. They promote friendliness in the workplace and foster a sense of community. And people want to spend their money in places, on items and with people that are welcoming and approachable. Next time you walk into Borders, take a closer look at one of the employees' nametags. Often times their lanyards will have stickers or pictures of their favorite books on them.
Tip #6: Employees who wear fun, memorable nametags will also show the customers that their business is fun and memorable.
Tag, you're it!
"Right, People. Let's blast out that mail campaign we've been... Read More
Who was it that said - "The customer is always... Read More
May people these days have a problem with mounting debt.... Read More
Those of us doing business over the internet have to... Read More
In today's highly competitive economy, it is difficult to maintain... Read More
Homebuyers are an interesting study. Watching people make their home... Read More
Different people call their Customers by different names. If they... Read More
My regular readers will know that one of the things... Read More
Customer service today is getting worse. Win customers over and... Read More
Customer service is the most vital asset for Business either... Read More
Your opportunity to build a stellar client relationship starts with... Read More
1. Tis the SeasonRecognize that everyone is frazzled during the... Read More
If there was a restaurant in your town that was... Read More
Bad customer service is everywhere these days - unmanned front... Read More
It's a salesperson's worst nightmare- the phone call that comes... Read More
Clients? they are the most important influence in the success... Read More
According to customer service studies by marketing gurus of the... Read More
"Hi this is Randy. Leave me a message after the... Read More
Those of us in home based and small businesses are... Read More
The future of customer service is here. Technology has made... Read More
Whether online or off, if you plan on running or... Read More
These moments come when a customer or client?1. Hears someone... Read More
How often have you left a meeting with a customer... Read More
You probably realise how the wrong tone of voice and... Read More
1) Being placed on hold endlessly. Don't you just love... Read More
Periodically every sales person encounters the customer who refuses to... Read More
I hate to sound like one of those cheesy get-rich-quick... Read More
You have no doubt heard the saying that the customer... Read More
Improving customer service starts at the top - with us... Read More
While most companies talk about consumer friendliness, customer centricity, customer... Read More
The other day a reporter call to interview me on... Read More
Nobody likes to get complaints. They make you question your... Read More
We'll be examining what makes follow up to prospects/customers so... Read More
If you are up to your ears in a stressful... Read More
While most companies talk about consumer friendliness, customer centricity, customer... Read More
The primary objective of a business is to get and... Read More
If you're still dreaming about raising outside capital for your... Read More
Every time my firm conducts communication skills training, we know... Read More
Unless you are brand new to business, or have been... Read More
One of the most popular questions asked in online business... Read More
In today's demanding economy, the first line of any business... Read More
Millions of people, just like you, end up with a... Read More
Over promising is a problem only when you under deliver.... Read More
In the competitive world of the 20th century, we generally... Read More
A few months ago, I wrote about ingenious styles of... Read More
Improving customer service starts at the top - with us... Read More
You know how it is, you believe something for so... Read More
We all want great service, whether we are buying our... Read More
Jay instructed a customer of his to offer a rare... Read More
Given the choice of dealing with a positive, upbeat employee... Read More
You probably think I am going to say something like,... Read More
Do many of us realize that we are working an... Read More
If you want to last a long time in business... Read More
There is a battle in Call Centers. The teams are... Read More
Whether in a restaurant, a retail establishment, or the local... Read More
Those of us in home based and small businesses are... Read More
Big companies and corporations have lost the human touch. The... Read More
Sales is tough to get right, and depends on retaining... Read More
When people ask, "What is CRM?" the literal answer is,... Read More
With Some Tips on How to RespondTt has probably happened... Read More
Is the special treatment you designed specifically to keep customers... Read More
If you're a regular reader of my column you know... Read More
Q: I'm so sick of you so-called business experts always... Read More
Businesses that fail, often forget to seek out the customer... Read More
Regardless of what business you are in - you are... Read More
The call center represents your first line of communication with... Read More
Customer Service |