Many businesses have goals to be “customer-centric” and follow the classic “customer comes first” mantra.  There is obvious value in such an approach, especially from a customer service approach.  One simple and often overlooked step is to simply setup specific and obvious visual triggers for both employees and customers.  Having a sign on the wall that says specifically what you are trying to do openly tells the customer and reminds the employee.  They will both seek out the mantra simply by being reminded of it. Customers will look for how the employee is doing this, noting it and appreciating it more consciously while the employee will subconsciously think whether they are holding to it as well.  Other obvious ones may include wearing a button or tag and the like.  Change it up from time to time as the trigger will be ignored as time goes on.

Other use of physical space to enhance or influence can be very powerful.  As in this study, voters are more likely to support tax increases for education if they cast their vote at a school!  Think about how your environment promotes what you want your customers to think, feel, desire.

This is just a simple tip to improve your results, buy-in of employees, and success rate of implementation of your mantra or goal, whatever it may be.

Entrepreneur Magazine’s November issue featured an article regarding a new-ish concept that Starbucks has embarked upon.  Many companies carry a common goal, a desire for international brand recognition and dominance.  Well, in some industries, that may not be the way to go.  Starbucks, one of those international branding phenomena, is actually “hiding” their brand within a few new locations.  What?! Yes, they are practically invisible as the the backer of a few new shops being opened.  With a billion dollar namesake, why would you forsake it? Well, coffee happens to be an area where indie is in.  Local, hip, one-of-kind, shoot-from-the-hip, is desirable.  People like their coffee shop, not some international cookie-cutter.  The new “15th Ave Coffee & Tea” is just that, local, hip, and still Starbucks (although you may not realize it).  The new coffee house features many ideas and innovations typically found only in local establishments with a coffee connoisseur founder.  That is in-part because of the liberty given to the new shop to run as such.  Protocols are a little more liberal but carry the support and resources of a powerhouse company in Starbucks.  Also, Starbucks is not the only one embarking on this trend.  As the article points out, Great Harvest Bread Co. has done this since the beginning. Similar ideas are coming out of Marriott Hotels and others.