It doesn’t take much for a business to delight its customers, and whenever it does, it ensures that customers remember that business for a long time.
Three examples from our recent trip to Canada:
The restroom in one of the restaurants had eight small, single-occupancy stalls. In the center of the room is a large bathtub with hoses hanging from the ceiling, serving as sources of water for washing your hands. I found myself standing with four other people around a communal bathtub, washing our hands, and engaged in conversation.
A great way to promote conversation and community in a restroom.
I actually chatted with a man who only spoke French. The oddity of the bathtub somehow seemed to pierce the language barrier.
It was a delightful surprise that I will likely never forget.
While traveling by scenic train up the St. Lawrence River, our train went through a long, dark tunnel. As it entered, a disco ball came on, bringing light and festivity to the train car. The conductor later told me it was a new addition to the train car.
A simple but brilliant one, too. It turned a darkened train tunnel into a fun and memorable experience for almost no money.
While dining in Quebec City, we looked across to the restaurant on the opposite side of the street and saw flower pots on the second story of the establishment, decorated to look like the bottom half of people, hanging off the balcony.
It made us laugh. Simple, creative, and memorable.
Also costing almost nothing.
We ate in at least 25 different restaurants on our trip. Most were excellent. Some were outstanding.
One stunk.
A few, like the two mentioned here, were undeniably memorable. I know precisely where these restaurants are located and can recall most of the meals and experiences because these restaurants delighted us in a fun, unexpected way.
Surprise and delight.
Make it your mission — regardless of what you are doing — and people will notice and remember you.
