Here is a novel idea. It's pretty complex, and it seems like no one is willing to tackle this concept. True, it can come across as showing that you care and that you have your act together as a professional, but is it really worth all that effort?
Customer Service. Returning phone calls as soon as possible. Being prompt on email inquiries. Tracking down and giving real answers. Being on time to meetings. Dare I say go beyond the expectation? Put yourself in their position and try to understand where they are coming from. And, hey, just be nice.
It seems simple yet it seems to be missing in so many of our "service industries." Even in the marketing agency business, this can sometimes be overlooked— especially after longer client-agency relationships. I will tell you that working at my company that is not the case, and it is preached from the rooftops regularly and enforced to the point of the status of your employment.
And, once you're in this mindset, you set higher standards when you are the client—at a restaurant, buying retail items, car shopping, home buying or working with an insurance agency. Instead of just expecting the basic hi/hello, here’s the cost and here's your purchased item, we would like a knowledgeable, helpful and at least reasonably pleasant interaction with another human being.
Working with other people is always a giant challenge, but we all want to be treated with courtesy and respect no matter how trivial or vital the issue may seem.
Want to see a good example? Try an experience like Zappos.com and you’ll wonder, "why can't we all operate this way?!" Just read some of their customer responses.
And, since I'm in the advertising world, here are a few good spots on customer service excellence.