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Everyone offers some extra service these days.
Here we are, playing requests (a standard “extra service” for any band) at a recent party at the University Club, in Palo Alto. Thanks for the photo, Cristina.
Here’s a tip for planning the music at your next party.
But first, a confession. I’m in the habit of telling people I make a living going to parties. (Maybe you’ve heard this before.)
Actually, it’s truer to say I help people enjoy the kinds of parties they wish for.
I’m involved with what people today call the “Service Industry.” So, like a waiter in a restaurant, my job actually is to listen to people tell me what they REALLY want.
Then, with my professional experience, I do my best to deliver it.
And more.
Nowadays, those last two words are crucial. A little extra service has always been important, and today it’s a hot topic.
Compared with ten years ago, these are challenging times, and everywhere, the best of the best are exceeding expectations with extra service.
How many times a day do you hear, “Anything else I can help you with today?” I’ve been counting, and in the last 12 hours I’ve heard it in person and on the phone from a dentist, a phone company, a bank, and 2 retail stores.
Lots of people are asking, and they’re all listening carefully for what we want — trying to out-listen and out-deliver their competitors.
It’s fun to watch people finally discover the power of “extra service”. It’s nothing new to me — I’ve been digging down deep to provide “extra service” all along, and I’ll even toss in a “surprise” whenever I can.
A photographer friend recently told me some brides-to-be now expect him to provide a professional make-up artist for his sessions. So he has found something new to ask about and listen for. Are you noticing this, too?
No matter what business you’re in, I bet you’re finding similar new ways to provide that extra touch of service. Similarly, many of the people who serve you are eager to give you a little extra, too — a better discount, finer quality, or faster delivery.
By the way, I’m seeing this “extra service” trend not just in business, but among casual friends, too. But that’s a blog for another day. In the meantime, people still celebrate — whether it’s their wedding, their anniversary, or the good fortune to still be in business.
Are you planning your next special event? When you consider the music for your party, let’s talk about what you REALLY want at the celebration, and how I’ll deliver it. And more.
So here’s a tip to help you plan the music for your wedding or next party. Imagine how you’d like the festivities to sound for your guests. Then ask “What else will enhance this sound?”, and go that one step further.
Add a little “extra service” to the music.
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Meanwhile, the Magnolia Jazz Band entertains at weddings and parties throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. If you are ever nearby, you’ll love catching us in action, seeing and hearing us create a great mood.
How can I help you? Call 408-245-9120 or use [email protected]. Planning a celebration? Ask about our availability.
