JS Tip 135: From the Customer-service Workshops: “You Had Me at Hello!”

Dorothy Boyd (Renée Zellweger) tells Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise), “You had me at ‘hello.’” He opened his mouth, and she fell in love with him.

And this works in business.

Open your mouth. Smile. Say “hello” to everyone around you. Customers. Co-workers. Bosses. Your smile, your friendliness, your enthusiasm will make a difference. It will build a culture.

Philosopher and holocaust-survivor Elie Wiesel says, “The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.” Being ignored.

Consultant Doug Wojcieszak says, “Failing to say ‘Hello’ or acknowledge another person’s greeting says ‘You’re not important, and I don’t care about you,’ and that’s the wrong message to send in a caring business.”

All businesses are caring businesses if they want to stay in business. 

Next week: A special-request repeat column: “Who” and “Whom”