I made it a whole week without checking my e-mail or looking at a fax machine. Vacation is fun but never as fun as getting back into the swing of things. Yes, while I was sitting on the beach, sipping the Caribbean wonders served daily, I knew when I returned to work I was going to have to go through 400 e-mails. Out of 400 electronic messages, I only needed 28.
    I did learn a few things on vacation. I learned that service is the key to keeping clients happy. OK, I knew this, but it rang true in this southern Mexico tourist trap. The people made sure that I was going to come see them again. I have promised to do so in the next few years.
    The doorman of our hotel told us that he and the staff give 110% most of the time. He said they always give 100% but only give the extra 10% to those who really mattered. I know he used this line with everyone that he spoke to, but it felt good that he was saying it to us. It really made us feel special even thought we knew it was a rehearsed line. He said it with a smile and we bought it hook, line and sinker.
    It may have just been the fact that he was speaking to us. He wasn’t e-mailing, he wasn’t faxing, he wasn’t giving us a discount for using his website. He was using old-fashioned communication. The spoken word brought more service than any coupon he could have e-mail us. Back to the basics.
    So I am going to try my best to say it in person as much as I can. I know I can’t completely get away from e-mail, but I am going to try to have as many conversations in person as time will allow. Hopefully I can work on giving better service and add a big smile with every in person chat.