We have all witnessed unprofessional behavior while shopping or visiting other businesses.  But there may be things that you are doing in your organization that others view as unprofessional.  Something that you feel is harmless may be the action that drives the next potential customer away.

5 ways to boost your level of professionalism:

1.  Put your phone away!  Your cell phone should never be visible to your customer.  Do not look at it, hold it, have it on your desk, and do not ever use it in your customer’s presence.  Your customers will feel that they are secondary to your personal needs and will frequent a business that makes them feel that they are a priority.

2.  No food or drinks.  Your lunch, your large bottle of water, or your candy or cigarettes should never be a part of your work space.  Perhaps you are allowed to have those things at your station because you work alone or are so busy that you do not often get a chance to step away.  This should never mean that your entire lunch should be displayed on your desk.  Eating and drinking in front of a customer is not only unprofessional, but it can be potentially disgusting.  You may end up with food in your teeth or be forced to talk with your mouth full.  Again, your customer will assume that they are not your priority.

3.  Greet everyone.  Anyone walking into your workplace or up to your desk should be greeted.  This is Customer Service 101, but unfortunately it still needs to be mentioned.  “Hello.  How are you?” or “What brings you in?” is sufficient.   The exact words are not important.  What is important is that your guest is acknowledged genuinely.  This is your first impression to your visitor.  Even if you are busy, excuse yourself from your current customer or task and greet your newest client.  It is just good manners.

4.  Vent in private.  Save your attitude, anger, or disbelief for after the customer leaves and the business is closed.  No matter how crazy or unreasonable that last customer was, never vent to your co-workers when other customers are present.  If a customer overhears you gossiping about a customer, she may assume that you are going to gossip about her, as well.  She may be reluctant to divulge too much information to you, making it difficult for you to make a real connection.  She may, of course, be unwilling to make a purchase at all.

5.  TMI.  Never discuss your personal life or personal problems with a customer.  If your customer is polite enough to ask how you are, your answer should be “Fine, thank you,” “Fantastic!” or something to that effect.   When you tell your customer that you’re “OK, but angry at my daughter because she’s been staying out all night…” or “Much better now that I’m almost over the flu…” you are giving too much information.  You can make the customer uncomfortable or obligated to comfort you.  Stick to the pleasantries.

If you work in any type of service position your smallest actions around your customers could be making or breaking your business.  It doesn’t matter if you are a cashier at a fast food restaurant or a high level manager in a corporation.  You deal with customers and their perception of your level of professionalism matters to your bottom line.