At Triple Stars today, we bumped into Mohammed, the same Sales Attendant who sold us the baby court before Siena was born 7 months ago (time flies!). Mohammed and I clicked instantly. He laughed when I recited Russel Peters’ famous “Take It & Go” line (see 3Mins 05Sec onwards), with the signature hand gesture in my attempt to get some discounts (it worked!). Aside from getting my jokes, Mohammed gave me a sense that he actually gets it about Customer Service. He was professional, confident, and he knew his products.
As he was helping me to load the stuff into the car, I casually asked if he’d be interested to join us. Mohammed courteously declined, without the slightest interest in what company I work for, or how much I was going to offer him (let’s just assume that Mohammed doesn’t mind my face for this illustration purpose). Offended, I pushed further for an explanation. He came back with a simple but classic response, those you only read in fiction novels or see in the movies: that “It’s not about the money.”
Mohammed loves his boss, he’s been treated extremely well for the last 16 years he’s been here. His job has helped him raise two boys, 4 and 9 in India, who frequently visit him in Brunei. Above all, he loves what he does, and so it was reflected in his service attitude.
Who says Bruneian can’t serve?
You may argue that Mohammed is a foreigner. But to me, anyone who’s been living here for more than 16 years is a Bruneian, regardless of what it says on the passport.
For a brief 60 seconds, I was humbled by my interaction with Mohammed. Not only did he show me how proper Customer Service is carried out, but he also taught me a very important lesson: There are things that money can’t buy. A precious little word that has became a rarity since my grand father’s generation (Hint it starts with L!).
End Note:
The next time when you go to Triple Star, go check him out by yourself. Tell Mohammed I sent you. And he’d probably answer: Who is Shaun?
engineeringgrowth 
Mohammed is a great example, in fact, legendary for humility, loyalty, honesty and servitude.
Coming from a business minded family, you know that the best customers are those who have experienced the best service plus great products.
I repeat, the best companies are those putting great service alongside great products. Satisfied customers experiencing this would continue to open their wallets, recommend their friends (to do the same) and insist their friends do business with such a company. Word of mouth recommendation /advertisement is very powerful.
After all, we should learn, the customers are not dependent on us. There are 1001 other businesses out there doing the same. In fact, we are dependent on them, and we have better treat every customer as well as we possibly could.
The bottom-line is good customer service is good business.
Again, I echo your liturgy that employees must be treated well too. Business owners merely handle the money, well-treated, happy employees help multiply the profits via legendary customer service.
Absolute commonsense. So simple, why aren’t more people doing this?
Shaun, If you remember on saturday all the stuff at the Caterpillar room. The reason I spent XXXXX amount of dollars at Triple Star was in fact…this man !
His children will be coming in next year, and I’m promised him a vip party for them.
How come you never write about me ????? I am cool. . . in fact a wise man recently told me…I rock !
Tks, he’s a cool dude ay! I don’t write about u cos ppl would know its bias. I already think you are great!
Hi Shaun O’l Buddy! ^_^ I really enjoyed reading your post ~ it just reminded me that I miss your wittiness! I miss Deon too and wonder when I’ll meet pretty li’l Siena! Take good care of your gals ! Love you all, God Bless and tell Mohammed that his Loyalty is to be commended ^_*
Oh loyalty, if I can compare my wealth with the loyalty Maki has for me… I’d be a rich, rich man!