You don't want to miss a trip to the famous Waffle House when you visit the southern states. It’s just good old fashioned everything, from the food to the hospitality. The customers are usually regulars and there’s a good reason why: Everyone on the team is friendly and having fun. At least that’s been my experience.

I had an interesting experience on a past trip to Atlanta where I visited the Waffle House off the 258 at Peachtree Industrial in Chamblee. It was there that I met Angel,- my salesperson and Leonard, the chef. Notice I didn’t call her a waitress. That’s because her name badge called her a salesperson, which is something far different than an order taker. Being identified as a salesperson puts her in the right frame of mind and identifies her as someone who can meet needs, answer questions, make presentations, and serve customers in a powerful way.

This concept is the reason why we promote, and are so successful providing, Service Advisor Sales Training. Waffle House obviously understands that their service people are salespeople. We have known for years that Service Advisors were salespeople, but rarely did we do anything about it. Those who have taken advantage of service sales training are setting records for profitability and customer satisfaction.

But I digress, because I want to leave you with a wonderfully funny exchange that happened between Angel and Leornard. While you may think this was meant to be a private conversation, let me tell you it wasn’t. This was part of the entertainment package that added to the value of the experience, and one of the benefits of working with a team of people you like and respect. It went something like this:

Leonard: No bacon, no sausage?

Angel: He doesn’t want no meat! He doesn’t want you to kill something for him.

Leonard: No bacon, no sausage.

Angel: We supposed to be eating stuff off trees anyway.

Leonard: I’ll eat anything girl. If I get hungry enough, I even eat you!

Angel: I’d be a bad taste in your mouth,

Leonard: I put some salsa on you and you taste just fine!

Angel: I’m a bad taste in your mouth.

Leonard: I’ll soak you in some vinegar and get the wild out of you girl.

The entire place erupted with laughter, to which Angel simply smiled at Leonard and said, "Oh, that was good!"

A postive, fun working environment, coupled with an attitude of knowing your role in the selling process. It doesn’t get much better than that.

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