LISTENING TO THE CUSTOMER

There's a small coffee shop in another downstate city that I enjoy occasionally. Last time I was there, I taking a prescription medicine and had to ask for a glass of water to take a pill. The clerk cheerfully provided it.

Today, I returned there at an "off" hour. Strangely the place was packed. I got my coffee and went to the "extra's" bar in the middle of the store. Sitting on that bar was a fresh, cool pitcher of water and some small, plastic glasses.

The proprietor had obviously had folks like me request a glass of water and was providing it without the need of request. Maybe that attitude is why business was booming.

Those of us in politics and public service can take a lesson. These folks are successful at least in part because they were open to change for the convenience of the customer.