In the midst of the recession, the economic growth of Nashville seems to be pointing in the right direction, with continuous residential developments in the downtown area and the possibility of an innovative convention center in the coming years. Nevertheless, we must work to continue to be a progressive city by utilizing professionalism in the workplace, so that we can build happy customers and clients who rather not seek other alternatives for services-such as a simple haircut or a satisfying shampoo experience.

As consumers, we rely on speedy, high-quality and dependable services. It's no surprise that we get agitated when services aren’t professionally rendered to us, especially in restaurants; when your mouth is craving that mouth-watery, succulent seafood platter and the server takes approximately eight minutes to deliver your food to the table, in an ample amount of time, only to find that the decorative arrangement on the fish included the onions that you verbally requested not to have. Ooops! Our natural instinct kicks in, alerting us that we, somehow, must accomplish the task of being fulfilled with a certain standard of performance that is expected in business establishments. Thus, the restaurant staff comes to a mutual agreement with you, hoping for a return visit because you've been satisfisfied.

It is through countless encounters of various incidents similar to this, that we come to understand the meaning of excellent service. People may wonder why Johnny travels to the "other side" of town to get his haircut when there are over a dozen shops within 3 blocks from his home. Is it because he opts to spend his money with another ethnicity? Absolutely not, Johnny, like many people are just tired of spending money on services and not being greeted with courtesy and a professional image. It is not to say that one race is in any way better than another. But, the problem stands at the core of African American communities.

I am waiting for the moment when I can walk into a hair salon and the stylist is on time, with a pleasant greeting, ready to do my hair. There is a reason for appointments, simply because we hate to wait. Immediacy is our priority in shops. We would rather all smoke breaks come before or after our appointed time, and definitely no food while cutting hair. If the stylist thinks there will be a delay in getting to the next head, please just let us know in advance. If we are trapped in the shop waiting to get our hair done, we risk the chance of over-hearing and engaging in conversations we would rather dismiss. We become drenched in street talk and gossip unconsciously and victims of the common he say-she say cycle that manifest in so many salons.

A ubiquitous act which I have observed for over ten years, I’m just praying that there can be a change in the way business is done and employers come to the realization that without consumers, business no longer exists. Exemplifying any performance that falls below professional standards should always be prohibited and customers shouldn't feel that poor service is an inevitable aspect of patronizing your business.

As Gandhi says, “Be the change you want to see in the world." Say bye-bye to the chicken wings, be punctual, have a genuinely good attitude, get off the phone, and start building closer bonds with the people that make a difference in your pocket - the loyal customers that are building your business.

Monique Barron - barronmn@mail.lipscomb.edu