Here is a recap to start the "1001 Ways" from the first few contributions to the blog.
1. It all starts with a good look in the mirror.

What are your personal values and ethics about being 'of service'? We're talking about an 'ethic' of service that permeates all you do, all you stand for, and all of the processes that your enterprise crafts for your customers' experience. It all starts with you and what you stand for and create. And you can't fake it.
2. Customer obsession - when service becomes strategic!

For some enterprises most of the time the service is memorable and ... memorable customer service has become a distinct differentiating factor and a competitive advantage. We need a strong word like obsession to break the lip-service and scripting mindset to go beyond. Providing memorable customer service is strategic and 'cultural' and can provide a significant and sustainable competitive advantage.
3. Create the experience that creates a magical connection!

Going beyond customer service to customer obsession creates a memorable experience that creates an intangible in the minds of customers. It is an experience, and the feelings one has about that experience. It cannot be pre-empted. It is strategic - as it establishes the magical and intangible connection between your customer, your brand and your enterprise. Create the experience that creates the intangible connection.
4. Calculate the benefit of a life time customer.

Typical purchase x regular frequency x number of weeks x the number of years = potential revenue from a life time customer. Groceries = over $200,000, Autos = $400,000 +, electronics = $250,000 +, daily tall latte with room to go = $10,000. What is your life time loyal customer worth? Then what about their positive referrals. Do the math and then you can see your $150.00 customer as a $150,000.00 customer, and then treat her that way.
5. No sale is ever final!

To clarify - if for any reason a customer is not 100% satisfied with my (our) product or service we will make it right (to their 100% satisfaction) or we will give their money back, no hassles, no problems, no nonsense. When you (valued customer) choose to spend your money with us we will guarantee you will be satisfied, no matter what.
6. What else does a customer want?

A smile, a thank you, that’s what many of us consider standard. An apology when things go wrong, asking if everything is okay, offering extra services or products. A customer knows when you’re THERE, when you are fully engaged in the interaction, just as they know when you’re really thinking about lunch, or your car payment, or the movie you saw last night. You CHOOSE what you’re bringing to work each day. Engage, care, be considerate, choose to show up and be there!
7. Manage your moments of truth

The moments of truth in business: "Anytime a customer comes into contact with any aspect of a business, however remote, is an opportunity to form an impression." Identify all of your customers' moments of truth, those you and your employees control, and all others. Seize every one of them, even if they are initially moments of misery, as opportunities to show how good you and your organization are! This will go a long way in building long-term customer loyalty and total customer satisfaction.

Wow! If you get these going you're almost there, and we only have 994 ways to go!
8. Make exceptions to satisfy customers, and make satisfying customers the rule

"We don't put cucumbers on deli sandwiches." "Can't. Won't. Not allowed. No cucumbers. No exceptions. None at all."

"Did the cucumbers and the deli meats have an argument?" "Do they fight with the bread? Why, of the multitude of condiments you offer, do you disallow the cucumber? Have cucumber prices risen dramatically? Is there a shortage?" How ridiculous!

When a customer asks for something a little out of the ordinary we can dig our heels in and insist, "We just can't do that." But before you say no, ask yourself, "Is this just a cucumber?"

9. Break the rules to satisfy your customers

Encourage your customer-facing associates to break the rules to create a most positive and memorable experience for your customers, and then celebrate them as your heroes. Give your economy class passengers a little taste of First Class and they will love you! If your rules say "peanuts" offer them "cashews." You will create raving fans.

10. Then eliminate all of the other stupid rules

Identify and eliminate all of the stupid and mindless rules and policies that prevent your front line associates from creating a unique and memorable experience for your customers. Remove these blockages and allow the creativity and talent of your people to thrive!

11. Introduce an element of "surprise" and the "wow factor"

The most powerful way to exceed customers' expectations is to provide the element of the "unexpected" or "surprise." This creates a most positive and extremely memorable experience.

Examples: follow up service calls; thank you note and gift; sampling; unexpected secondary features of exceptional quality; CDs and USBs as gifts; chocolates. Putting "Wow" into what you do and sell isn't very hard, but it is extremely effective. For the receiver, it creates a MOMENT OF MAGIC!

12. Do follow up service calls

A follow up call to your customer demonstrates your honest commitment to their satisfaction and your sincere appreciation for doing business with you. You will create an intangible loyalty factor and an incredible number of word-of-mouth referrals.

13. Send thank you notes and gifts

As above it demonstrates your honest commitment to their satisfaction and your sincere appreciation for doing business with you. It's easy to accept for large purchases and commitments however, recognize that it is much more powerful for less expensive purchases and experiences. Think about creating customers for life and you will.

14. Give "neat" stuff away for free

You can create the element of "surprise" by empowering your front-line associates to provide samples, taste tests, special information, gadgets, gifts, chocolates, whatever they can think of - to demonstrate your sincere appreciation for doing business with you and your most fundamental desire to create a most positive and memorable experience. Your customers will be "wowed" and your people will love "wowing" your customers. This can create a most powerful formula for success and superior returns for your business.

15. Greet your customers by name.

See Shep Hyken's piece on the power of using names to create a most memorable experience. What's in a name? A sense of respect for you, an openness to welcome you, a genuine caring about your experience today.

16. Use names consistently to create an exceptional experience.

A greeting by name is nice, but you do have my reservation and should know. The second greeting by name gets me to start thinking - it's nice! I'm feeling like they have a customer service "program" here, and that's a good thing! The third greeting by name get's me wondering that this is quite an exceptional place. I'm quite comfortable; it feels like everyone really cares about my well-being and experience! The fourth greeting by name confirms you mean it! I love it! Be consistently positive to be most memorable.

17. Pay attention to detail.

You reveal everything you are even in one simple display or fixture. Take pride in who you are and what you have to offer.

18. Figure out what your customers need to trust you.

See Bettina's experience of all Creatures Great & Small for a most positive and memorable experience. Your customer is buying peace of mind - and all that you do is designed to create trust and confidence in who you are and the service you provide.

19. Create an integrated set of positive experiences.

Your on-line experience is positive. Parking is positive. Check-in is positive. Breakfast is positive. Check-out is positive. Create a cumulative positive, positive, positive - at all touch-points.

20. Pay even more attention to every little detail.

Everything matters!

21. Create an impeccable environment.

Keep everything clean, mindful - and take pride in who you are and what you offer.

22. Always have something unique for your customers to take away.

Create unique "souvenirs" - they are always memorable! You can show a sincere appreciation and create memories if you choose.