Have you ever walked into a gas station expecting nothing more than a quick pit stop, only to walk away with a story worth sharing? That's exactly what happened to us, kicking off a conversation about the magic of exceeding expectations in the realm of customer service and hospitality. Inspired by Will Guidara's "Unreasonable Hospitality," we dive into how a little extra effort can truly transform ordinary interactions into memorable experiences. We weave together personal stories from our early work days and draw lessons from the TV show "The Bear," illustrating the concept of "service plus" and its profound impact on both everyday and professional settings.

From an "extra" scoop of fries at Five Guys to Amazon empowering their employees to authorize returns, we explore how companies craft exceptional customer experiences by creating emotional connections and fostering loyalty. It's not just about solving problems; it's about making customers feel valued and employees feel empowered.

Here are a few main themes in the episode:

• Exploring the principles of unreasonable hospitality
• Importance of exceeding expectations in service delivery
• Anecdotes illustrating exceptional customer service experiences
• Balancing consistency and innovation in service
• Empowering teams to enhance customer relationships
• Practical applications for nurturing connections across industries
• The lasting impact of emotional connections on loyalty

Thanks for listening!

Send us a text and let us know how we're doing. In the meantime, make it a great day & innovate the USA!

Check out all episodes of Lead On with Greg & Mark on your favorite podcast platform!