Administration Professional Pathways
Executive Update
Customer Service— Your Most Important Job Dishing Out Excellence: Why Your Service Mindset Matters Most By Sally Spero, SNS, School Foodservice Consultant Three minute read In Brief: This article explores how exceptional customer service forms the foundation of successful school nutrition programs, identifying key stakeholders, outlining service expec- tations, and providing strategies for directors to enhance their service delivery model.
Identifying Your Customer Base
Begin by clearly defining your diverse cus- tomer segments. While students may be your primary focus, your customer base extends well beyond the cafeteria line: • Students across all grade levels and dietary needs • Parents and guardians who influence participation decisions • Teachers and educational staff who may utilize your services • School administrators, including princi- pals and district leadership • Essential support staff throughout the school system • Community stakeholders with vested interests in student nutrition Understanding Customer Expectations To deliver outstanding service, you must first understand the multifaceted expecta- tions of your customers: • Nutritious, appealing food with transpar- ent ingredient information • Cost-effective pricing that balances quality with accessibility
A s a school food service director, what priorities top your list of essential program objectives? Common goals include: • Creating nutritionally balanced menus that appeal to students • Managing a fiscally sound and sustain- able program • Increasing participation rates across all demographics • Building strong support from the school community and stakeholders However, achieving these objectives be- comes significantly more challenging with- out adding one critical element to your strategic framework: a strong commitment to customer service excellence.
40
Continues on next page
Powered by FlippingBook