Inspiring Workplaces: Surprising Delights Are a Surprisingly Delightful Way to Delight Customers

Published: Wed, 04/02/25

Updated: Wed, 04/02/25

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Inspiring Workplaces
The Way Work Ought to Be!

#1,067 - April 2, 2025

Surprising Delights Are a Surprisingly Delightful Way to Delight Customers

A study done by Trip Advisor found that when a business delights a customer with a surprise, 94% of those customers would recommend that business unconditionally. Here are a few ideas to spark some inspiration for you.

A California Uber driver named Cameron has a menu of 12 ride options, including the karaoke option or the "creepy ride," where Cameron won't say anything to you the entire drive, but he'll keep looking at you in the rear-view mirror.
Many years ago, I was served by a pharmacist wearing a badge that read, "This End Up."
To help delight their customers, each branch of Umpqua Banks in Oregon is given a special fund designed solely to engage customers in fun ways. They've been known to bring in ice cream, popcorn and even sandwich trucks for their customers.
One of my favorite Thai restaurants in Calgary surprises customers with complimentary coconut ice cream cones for dessert.
After a fabulous brunch at the Grande Rockies Resort in Canmore this past weekend our amazing server delighted our table with some close-up magic at our table.
A grocery store bagger delighted customers by slipping small pieces of papers into customers' grocery bags with a funny or inspiring "thought of the day" written on them.
Years ago, I phoned the company Shutterfly with a complaint and ended up being delighted when they offered to repeat their entire voicemail menu in "pirate." ("Arr matey, if your package has been lost at high sea press #2!")

It doesn't take much to delight a customer and put a smile on their face. And remember, putting a smile on their face is a guaranteed way to put a smile on your face as well!

Mike's Fun at Work Tip

Tomorrow, April 3, is Don't Go into Work Unless It's Fun Day! Let's focus on the "go into work" part, shall we? We shall. What are you doing to make the "going into work" as fun as possible so you don't dread your commute?

I challenge you to find one thing you can do, no matter how small, to make your commute more pleasurable. Maybe it's listening to your favorite funny podcast, reading a funny book on the train, collecting examples of funny signs, listening to music that gets you amped up for the day, starting a list of funny bumper stickers, or playing a license plate game where you have to form a word matching the letters on the plate of the car ahead of you.

And while we're on the topic, create a program to reward people for having endured a horrible commute: A "Crummy Commute of the Month/Quarter Award" to whoever deserves a special prize to help them get over an awful start of the day!

Quote of the Week

“Comedy is the banana in the coal mine.” Jon Stewart

Funny Business

As seen on a sign at a dental practice parking lot:

DENTAL PATIENT PARKING ONLY

ALL OTHERS WILL BE EXTRACTED

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