After doing an early morning assembly for a senior class in Santa Ana yesterday, I had the rest of the day to myself. The weather was nice (I enjoy a cool wind when I can get it–especially when the temperature begins to rise in Arizona) and I figured I’d take a walk for lunch and a matinee. I stopped at the Garden Walk right by Disneyland and sat down to eat at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company.
Theme chain restaurants aren’t really my favorite, but Bubba Gump has one customer service element I really enjoy.
Two signs: Run Forrest Run and Stop Forrest Stop.
As long as the Run Forrest Run sign is showing, the wait staff tends to leave you alone, allowing you to enjoy your meal and conversation uninterrupted. However, the second the Stop Forrest Stop sign is out, the nearest wait staff member will check on you to see what you need.
It’s a real simple customer service model that makes tons of sense.
I’m wondering if there is a way we can adapt that to our own organizations–not bombarding people with our “help,” but being there the second that they need it. It’s a simply idea that can make a world of difference.