Whatever they may be called in your end of the company — stakeholders or partners when they’re internal — clients or customers when they’re external, they’re all c – u – s – t – o – m – e – r -s and they’re the reason you’re in business at all.

Do your customers feel that the services or products they receive from you and your team goes beyond their expectations? Somewhat beyond? Well beyond?

I still remember the feeling I had the very first time I entered an Apple Store: so bright and clean and well organized. And the people! The people who worked there never made me feel ignorant or unimportant. Come to think of it, the people who own and staff my local hardware store treat me the same way. No matter how obtuse my questions may feel like to me, they’re there to help me…and they’ve won my eternal loyalty.

Do your ‘customers’ feel the same way about you and your team?

What type of experience can they expect both during and after interactions with your team? What about their questions? Their challenges? Their anxieties?

Do you and your team go beyond their expectations? Somewhat beyond? Well beyond?

Do you outclass your customers?