How do you rate in customer relations?

The metaphor of the "moment of truth", as described in the excellent book Service America! Doing Business in the New Economy, is a powerful idea for helping people to shift their points of view and think about the customer's experience. Moments of truth are the collective interactions of customer and employee that take place day in and day out. Every time an employee comes into contact with a customer--a physician, minister, social worker, inspector, visitor, serviceman, vendor, resident--the interaction will spark a moment of truth. It may be a shining moment when that customer feels cared for, cared about, and genuinely valued, or a lousy moment when the customer feels ignored, abused, or undervalued. As an administrator or manager, lead your people ... and manage your moments of truth.