There are many ways to satisfy customers, the basic and most fundamental way to achieve your goals should start with setting expectations. Then, as long as everyone is on the same page, no one will be disappointed. They still may not like what you offer, but at least they don’t think one thing and then get something entirely different.

I will give you two different examples to clarify what I mean.

Last week, my daughter asked me to make her a nutritious breakfast to prepare her for the standardized testing they conduct each year in our state. It is tedious work and the night before the students are asked to get extra sleep, hydration and a good breakfast. This particular child dislikes eating early in the AM; so it was an extra challenge for us.

“How about a grilled avocado and cheese sandwich?” she asked me.

Okaaayyy, I thought, before I inquired back “but, do you like the avocado to be warm?” Thinking of the last time we had a recipe that suggested avocado as a low-fat, non-dairy sauce alternative for pasta and we were all pretty grossed out. Then, we threw out what was left because chances of those leftovers being eaten for lunch the next day were pretty slim.

“Oh, it’s fine.  I had it last week with dad when you were away. Just use olive oil instead of butter,” she said.

So I made it.  Grilled the avocado, with a drizzle of EVOO in the pan with some salt, pepper, garlic, red pepper and lemon flakes (aka the Hot Rocks seasoning that we all like).  Then, placing that on freshly made toast, I started to think about how I was going to melt the cheese.

This is about the time she came into the kitchen and looked at me like I was insane.  “Um, a grilled cheese with avocado, mom. That is what I meant.” as she rolled her eyes.

So, I continued to make a lacey cheese crisp in the hot, oiled pan and draped that over the sliced avocado and squashed it all together, more than a bit frustrated.

Which, she then ate and proclaimed, “Delicious.  Weird, but good.  Tomorrow, can I just have it the regular way?”

Setting expectations would also have been good for Graze to do.  When I ordered a sampler pack of their snacks for the family to try, I expected a 4-pack sample of family sized snacks. Not a 4-pack of sample sized snacks…for the family. For the record, yes, I did roll my eyes and say, “seriously Graze, is this what you meant?”

~ Dawn aka Hat Girl