The courtship phase is beautiful for all parties.
Let us imagine 2 kinds of romance –
2 lovers who seemingly cannot enough of each other. The lovers send each other cards, buy roses, sometimes even expensive gifts.
A customer who is being woo-ed by an eager service provider. The service provider showers his customer with great prompt service, throws in deals and acts as if every wish of the customer were his command.
Then comes the defining moment. The lovers get together. The customer signs the deal.
All of a sudden, a few things happen –
– The roses stop coming. Suddenly, people are ‘not how they used to be’
– The customer, all of a sudden , is passed on from one customer service rep to another the moment he runs into trouble and finds himself crying out in frustration
Does that strike a bell?
Haven’t we all been on the receiving end at some point or another? (Think of telco’s!)
I think it is a big one for us personally – to remind ourselves, whether in our personal or in our professional lives, that personality opens doors but character is what keeps those doors open.
It may not seem like it. But it is a test of character, whether as a service provider or a partner/lover..
A Learning a Day 