New Job - advice needed on making a good impression.

[millreef]

Hi All
I'm starting a new job this week and want to make a really good impression. I'm obviously hard working and conscientious but I'd love any advice on what you do to make your yard and horses stand out from the rest. I'm experienced but I would like extra gems from you on how I can impress.
The yard is a busy riding school.
Thanks

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

Be friendly and approachable and listen to others, keep the place neat and tidy.
Make sure horses are groomed lightly before and after riding, checking quickly for any cuts, thorns etc, shoes on all feet if appropriate, not loose or nails sticking out, tack clean, well fitting and in good condition.
Turn up on time, always, take a bit of cash and maybe a sandwich.

 

[Red-1]

While you do not know the yard I would keep it simple and see how it runs, doing whatever is asked of you in an understated way.

Once you know the yard and routines then this is the time you can impress, as you will direct your efforts better.

Most of all do not "fall in" with whatever lazy practices you find, it is easy to be swept into a current culture.

Good luck!

 

[frostyfingers]

I would also ask at the end of your first week something along the lines of "has everything been done to your liking" - that gives them a chance to gently point out any issues without it being a big deal. Good luck.

 

[Greylegs]

A busy riding school will have clients of all standards coming and going during working hours. Make sure your customer service skills are up to scratch ...

Be meticulously polite even when people are driving you nuts and being complete numpties...
Develop the capacity to display endless amounts of patience...
Remember they are there to learn so don't know everything...
Be prepared to help out when needed ...
Be completely approachable, even when you're very busy ...

... Buy a book on customer service principle and practice if in doubt .....

Good luck. Hope it goes well.

 

[misskk88]

As above!

First thing is to turn up on time- working in recruitment you will not believe how many don't bother to! The most important thing is to learn the general routine and jobs of the yard during your first few weeks. Ask questions where you aren't sure and ask for feedback on how you are getting on. Once you are into the swing of things, then it is time to begin impressing- don't put too much pressure on yourself before then, you have a lot to learn and you will be suprised how much a new yard and work regime can tire you out! Many things can impress such as sharing new ideas to benefit the yard/horses/staff, or your support of the riding school students etc.

As long as you work hard, do what is asked of you and are polite and friendly, you will be just fine!

Also just wanted to add good luck on your first week, hope you enjoy it

 

[SpringArising]

A busy riding school will have clients of all standards coming and going during working hours. Make sure your customer service skills are up to scratch ...

Be meticulously polite even when people are driving you nuts and being complete numpties...
Develop the capacity to display endless amounts of patience...

This, this and this.

Far too many horsey people have no CS skills.

 

[peaceandquiet1]

Try to do things exactly as you are asked as when I use pet sitters that's what I want, not them changing things, and I would imagine an employer will feel the same. Once you are settled in you can come forward with ideas.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Basically be polite, work hard, be conscientious & listen & take on board what others are telling you. Don't start changing things at your new yard until you have been there quite a while & only then make 'suggestions'. Others may thing of you as a 'know it all' if you are too pushy for change. Don't make comparisons, unless for the better, between where you are now & where you were. Be attentive & polite to everyone, not just clients. Above all be cheeful & smile.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

This, this and this.

Far too many horsey people have no CS skills.

Well to be honest, I am probably one of them, if people want to play horses they can go online, if they want to learn about life and enjoy riding ponies, that is fine too, but they need to learn how to respect people and if they cant be polite to staff, and respect the horses, I would not want them as customers.
I do not ever, ever expect staff to be rude to customers.
If they are rude to you, just do your best, carry on regardless and hope they never come back!

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

That is a good point, never run others down, and if you are in a good yard, let customer know. Happy staff indicates a good place for both customer and staff .. a double whammy.

 

[Cowpony]

Well to be honest, I am probably one of them, if people want to play horses they can go online, if they want to learn about life and enjoy riding ponies, that is fine too, but they need to learn how to respect people and if they cant be polite to staff, and respect the horses, I would not want them as customers.
I do not ever, ever expect staff to be rude to customers.

There's a difference between wanting customers to be polite to your staff and respect them, and poor cutomer service. You can have your standards and still say things with a smile.

When I first got back into riding as an adult I phoned my nearest riding school and asked to book a private lesson on a day two weeks ahead. I was told very abruptly that they couldn't do a private lesson that day. Not "sorry, but we could do the following week" or "really sorry but we've got external exams all that week, would you be able to come another day?" Just "No". I rang the next one and had a very friendly accommodating response. Guess where I went? And am still there 12 years later, now with my own horse and my OH has started having lessons too.

OP do everything with a smile and that will get you a long way. Don't join in any bitching or take sides, be polite to everyone, and don't sit around on your phone when there are jobs to do.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

Try to do things exactly as you are asked as when I use pet sitters that's what I want, not them changing things, and I would imagine an employer will feel the same. Once you are settled in you can come forward with ideas.

That is a good point too, I knew my staff would do the right thing, I only ever had one complaint, and that was cos the young girl did not know how to deal with the situation, [awkward customers] , I was fine , and just explained how to deal with it if it ever happened again, but basically the customers were bullies and the girl was a bit intimidated. No one died, and I did not need customers like that, no one does.

 

[SpringArising]

but they need to learn how to respect people and if they cant be polite to staff, and respect the horses, I would not want them as customers.

And the best way to teach is by example

Unfortunately, if you want a successful business with renowned quality CS, the customer is always right (no matter how rude, annoying or arrogant). I'd rather have a riding school full of rude customers than none at all!

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

And the best way to teach is by example

Unfortunately, if you want a successful business with renowned quality CS, the customer is always right (no matter how rude, annoying or arrogant). I'd rather have a riding school full of rude customers than none at all!

I would be surprised if you have a business SA, you cannot allow every customer to dictate how how will run your business. For example, I like Science Plan cat food, should I tell Morissons that if they don't stock Science Plan I wont be back? No, they will consider my request and is financially viable they will accept, else reject.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

And the best way to teach is by example

Unfortunately, if you want a successful business with renowned quality CS, the customer is always right (no matter how rude, annoying or arrogant). I'd rather have a riding school full of rude customers than none at all!

I don't agree, if you want a sucessful business it needs to be profitable and needs to satistfy customer demand but if you let the customer dictate how your business is run you will be very unhappy and ultimately unprofitable. The customer you want is the one who is happy with the service you offer at the price they are prepared to pay.
You will not find enough rude customers to make you business profitable, but you will drive away the ones who are reasonable and pleasant to deal with., and there are more reasonable ad pleasant people than the other kind.

 

[SpringArising]

I would be surprised if you have a business SA, you cannot allow every customer to dictate how how will run your business.

No, you can't allow customers to dictate how you run your business, but what you can say is "Thank you for your suggestion MrsD123. We really appreciate all feedback and Science Plan cat food is something we may stock in the future".

Being polite and accepting of criticism isn't allowing your customers to dictate, it's allowing your customers to feel included in the business model and thus, heard.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

Lol SA , I am so glad I don't work for a multinational, I can't stand the b**s**....... hope you are not offended but if I go down to Morissons tomorrow and it is full of rude arrogant customers I won't keep going back. [its cheaper at Asda btw]

 

[SpringArising]

Lol SA , I am so glad I don't work for a multinational, I can't stand the b**s**....... hope you are not offended but if I go down to Morissons tomorrow and it is full of rude arrogant customers I won't keep going back. [its cheaper at Asda btw]

Thankfully I don't shop at either

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

No, you can't allow customers to dictate how you run your business, but what you can say is "Thank you for your suggestion MrsD123. We really appreciate all feedback and Science Plan cat food is something we may stock in the future".

Being polite and accepting of criticism isn't allowing your customers to dictate, it's allowing your customers to feel included in the business model and thus, heard.

You see that is not a criticism it is a suggestion, when it comes to multi-nationals they provide what the customer wants, at the price they are prepared to pay, and make a profit for them, CS is just another department, like HR and Accounts and so on.

If you responded as above it would not make me a particularly happy customer, the letter is too formulaic.
If you wanted to make me a happy customer you would have to say,
"Thank you for your letter of 5th June, we have considered your suggestion, but at the moment we feel that we provide a range of quality [lovely word for the marketing department] cat foods, and at this moment in time we have no plans to stock SP though we will monitor the situation, thank you once again, we really value our customers' input.

 

[SpringArising]

If you responded as above it would not make me a particularly happy customer, the letter is too formulaic.
If you wanted to make me a happy customer you would have to say,
"Thank you for your letter of 5th June, we have considered your suggestion, but at the moment we feel that we provide a range of quality [lovely word for the marketing department] cat foods, and at this moment in time we have no plans to stock SP though we will monitor the situation, thank you once again, we really value our customers' input.

I can't say a poorly worded letter with an over-use of commas would make me think much of a company or its representatives, but fair enough and each to their own.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

I can't say a poorly worded letter with an over-use of commas would make me think much of a company or its representatives, but fair enough and each to their own.

"Thank you for your letter of 5th June, we have considered your suggestion. We provide a range of quality cat foods. We have no plans to stock SP, though we will monitor the situation.
Thank you once again, we really value our customers' input.