NBC's The Apprentice 3: Tight Budget Plus Customer Excellence Equals Success

With a limited budget of $20,000 to renovate and open run down New Jersey motels both teams this week had an enormous challenge. To determine the winner of the task, guests rated the motel and customer service. The team with the highest score would win. Both teams quickly took to task and struggled to renovate the motels but eventually finished the job and opened for business.

Team Magna (Book Smarts) focused on what they could control...customer service. By escorting guests to their rooms, providing an impromptu party and breakfast, guests overlooked the shape of the rooms. Team Net Worth (Street Smarts), missed the boat on customer service and an argument between Kristen and Brian brought guests out of their rooms to see what was happening. In the end, Net Worth received a survey score of 2.92 out of 5 and Magna received a score of 3.96. It was off to the boardroom for Net Worth.

Small Business Lesson: With limited funds, customer service doesn't have to be ignored. In fact, paying attention to customer excellence can change customers' perceptions. Learn "The Five Principles of Customer Service" that can alter your customers' perceptions forever.