Last Friday while we were on our way to pick up my mother for a weekend visit at our home, my daughter asked me if I can teach her to speak my native language, Chamorru. Chamorru is a Micronesian dialect. I'm Guamanian--a native of Guam. Guam is a US territory located in the Pacific Ocean, the area known as Micronesia. Anyways, my mother's English is poor and she often relies on me to translate. I was proud that my half Guamanian, half Irish, half Dutch daughter was interested. She went on to say, "I want to learn so I can speak to Nana better and she can understand me."
Wow. Only 7-years-old and already she knows the value of communication. How many times have you shopped at a store looking for something you need to solve a problem like an outfit for an important date? Or in our case, a type of meat that will really showcase your culinary expertise? Not sure what you're really looking for. When the salesclerk ask if you need help, your stuck, you want the help but unable to express what it is you want. . . as if there's a language barrier.
This made me think of how in this slow economy, retailers are laying off or cutting hours of employees to survive. It's understandable, but in doing so, customer service will be at an all time low. Hence, shoppers will have to be prepared to fend for themselves to find the right product they need. There won't be salesclerks around to help. I'm also a Realtor and know firsthand the difficult task to get a live person on the phone at a Bank at any given time or day to request for short sale approvals. Now more than ever, communication is important as businesses shift gears to survive. But with the reduce workforce, how is that getting done? I'm guessing that those that are there will most likely be the lowest paid employee who doesn't know anything about the product or services they're selling. Language barrier.
Our business is not immune to the economy. Although we'll be "trimming fat" in our budget, it's not going to be at the risk of poor services or products. Pre-packaged meats is one cost-effective method, but it's not our philosophy. We have and will always be known for quality meats and services. When you walk into our store, there will be a meat specialist waiting and willing to communicate with you about cuts and serving size. That is who we are and what we stand for, and no matter what the economy, it is what has made our family business successful. We're not changing that ever!
For even the most educated and experienced cook has questions or needs help on something they can't fully express. This can only be helped by someone with experience and knowledge in a store that is staff with the customer's needs in mind. No language barrier or a store with no visible help that you may as well have been shopping in Guam.
-lin mcconnell-
