These two short words, when put together, create a powerful, positive, uplifting message.

But it seems people have just about forgotten to use them. Saying a heartfelt “Thank You” not only makes the receiver feel good, you’ll feel good as well. So today (and going forward) look for opportunities to say thanks. It might be the person who holds the door open for you, or the service person who takes care of your problem, or the person who bags your groceries. Or it might not have anything to do with you. Thank a policeman or a firefighter for his or her service to your community.

Brushing up on your customer service skills will help you in all aspects of your life.
Make a great first impression
Speak courteously and respectfully to everyone.
Listen completely.
Communicate well by staying interested in hearing what the other person has to say and then responding in a positive, constructive manner.
Build strong relationships. You can't sail the ship of life alone!

If you’re old enough, you’ll remember the words to the theme song from Cheers, written by Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo:

Sometimes you want to go -  where everybody knows your name
and they're always glad you came
You wanna be where you can see -  our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows your name

You wanna go where people know people are all the same
You wanna go where everybody knows your name

When you think about it, isn’t that what we want as customers? To go where they’re always glad we came, where everybody knows our name?

Learn your customers’ names and use them in your greetings and while you’re helping them. Everyone does like to hear their name. It shows that you care and that they matter to you.

If you think of customers as everyone but you, you put yourself in position to treat everyone as you treat your real customers--with respect, dignity, and a positive, helpful attitude.