In Impact Learning’s training and consulting work, we talk a lot about the concept of “transcendence,” which of course can mean many things: challenging yourself to expand your capabilities; going above and beyond expectations; continually striving to improve; and learning to genuinely enjoy work (even the hard stuff).
I think the latter point is especially easy to accomplish for people in the customer service field. That’s because customer service, as challenging as it sometimes can be, is an intrinsically rewarding profession. Simply put, it feels good to be of service to people, whether that means selling them shoes, answering their billing questions, or fixing their washing machines.
I saw a 2-minute video yesterday that reminded me—without even a single word—just how enjoyable an everyday transaction can be for both the customer and the service provider. Stay tuned; I’m going to give you the link so you can see it for yourself. But first I want to say a little more about it…
When you think about the job of an ice cream vendor, what comes to mind? Probably the simple, menial, repetitive task of scooping out a frozen treat and handing it over the counter. Well, here’s one ice cream vendor who far transcends that mundane task and completely elevates the experience for himself, for the customer and for the crowd gathered round.
Part illusionist, part hawker, and part mime, the Turkish vendor has found a way to transform the daily grind into a story of fun, surprise, and human connection. I don’t know how good the ice cream tasted, but I’m sure the customer will remember the experience for a long time to come.
OK, so here’s the link. The video is available on YouTube, but I found it at www.positivesharing.com (if you don’t see it right away, search for “ice cream”). This website features a series called Friday Spoing, a weekly dose of fun, brief, quirky videos so I suggest you find it there.
Enjoy–and don’t forget to bring a little playful transcendence into your own work!
