Customer Connections

On the QT Newsletter, Customer Connections
November 13, 2007
New Customer Service Activity Sheet.pdf (61 KB)

Did you know? Everyone has a customer to serve. Regardless of what we call them, students, guests, bosses, parents, readers, viewers… they are customers. To maintain an economic edge, both public and private businesses must improve and enhance the customer experience. Today’s customers are more sophisticated and informed. They have more options and opportunities, more power, and more companies who want their business. In addition, they are also more pressed for time, more stressed, and hungrier for more personal attention. As we prepare students for this 21st century workplace, we must increase their awareness of the customer service experience and help them build the skills required to provide that service. The simple game below will help you initiate a discussion about the relationship among customers, employees, and owners.

Do This:

This activity, CEO, is based on the game Rock, Paper, Scissors.

Distribute the CEO student worksheet (attached).

Review the directions on the worksheet and the signals for customer, employee, and owner.

Ask for a volunteer and demonstrate how to play the game.

For the first round, you and the other player make a fist and hold it about shoulder height.

Count “One, two, three,” and during each count lower and raise your fist.

After “three,” lower your fist one more time; say “Show” to display one of the three letters.

Player must display the letters at the same time so there is no cheating.

Have students find a partner to play and record three rounds of the game.

Identify the winners.

Discuss the activity and ask students questions about the influence among customers, employees, and owners.

Ask students to identify one business that delivers extraordinary customer service.

Want More: Everyone has a Customer to Serve, is loaded with classroom activities to teach customer service skills. California Community College Family and Consumer Sciences Collaborative Grant produced this new booklet, which can also be found on the Work-Based Learning Connections site under “Print,” on the right hand side of the page. In addition, Stanford’s Educator’s Corner offers a brief take on the value of customer service in their Entrepreneurial Series.

Quik Quote: A man without a smiling face should not open shop. Chinese Proverb