“Where everybody knows your name, and they’re always . . .
January 22, 2012 in business, Camper Relations
glad you came.”
You know the Cheers theme song. Gotta be one of the best tv show theme songs of all time!
But, it’s also a super important reminder for all of us in dealing with prospective customers, current campers and for that matter, any other person you come in contact with. Dale Carnegie found it so important that it’s one of his fundamental principles in his classic work, “How to Win Friends and Influence People.”
His 3rd Principle - Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.
Yet, often times, we’re too busy or to lazy to learn someone’s name. Worse yet, if it’s difficult to pronounce, we don’t even give them the dignity of an attempt, instead opting to make up a nickname.
Do whatever it takes to learn all newcomers names by Day 2. Take pictures on Day 1 and match it to the name to create a flashcard. Review the roster immediately before the camp starts. And then practice! Use names frequently with specific instruction – “good arched back, Jody,” “fully extend those hips, Tom”
It’s a simple thing that goes a long way, and our folks notice because we get compliments all the time on how fast we make them feel welcome into our community because we knew who they were before they left on Day 1.