“There are no two words in the English language more harmful than good job.’” – Best line from Whiplash, hands down. No two words could better describe customer service.

Sugarbacon. Doesn’t that just sound heavenly? For every red-blooded average American, your mouth should be watering by now, itching to know what I’m talking about. That’s the newly adorned Dallas restaurant, a transplant from the McKinney restaurant.

Brilliant!!!

I mean really, the name is perfect. What’s even better is their service. I happened to frequent the restaurant the first month they opened. I went by myself and the service was impeccable. My order was taken promptly, my water was filled frequently, and I was taken care of properly. One of the managers, or a supervisor, asked me about my drink and gave me a sample of their house-made bourbon to try. Another manager came by and talked to me briefly. Simple, small, highly effective means of treating customers. Great service.

As someone who eats out three to four times a week, stays in a hotel more than my own bed, and flies each week, I can tell you what great versus ‘good’ service looks like. Unfortunately, the ‘good’ outweighs the exceptional most of the time, which is why I thought important to distinguish.

Most people are satisfied with the average burger. Most people are satisfied with just getting the job done. Most people are happy with Kraft queso. Most people just aren’t willing to put in the extra gumpf to make the experience unique; to make it special.

So why even write about this, what set it off? Sugarbacon’s exceptional service started my desire, but a bad experience at a ‘known’ restaurant lit the flame ablaze. I was out in Seattle last weekend and went to an oyster bar. I was expecting greatness, but instead I got a two hour meal that was mediocre with piss poor service (which is pretty hard for someone as laid back as me to say).

Customer service and running a business is everywhere and if you don’t realize it, then you’ll never run a company. If you don’t understand customer service, you’ll never go far in work. You have to work hard for your customers, work to satisfy them and give them the best product you can serve. If you do this and the customer knows this, they’ll go with you almost any day of the week (if they can afford it that is).

Don’t do a good job. Do the job the best.