Let’s put out the welcome mat

The onset of warmer weather and a return of daylight savings provides an ideal opportunity for communities across the region to sell themselves.

With spring and summer come more visitors, keen in one way or another to experience what the region has to offer.

From visiting our reputable wilderness parklands, where camping, fishing, hiking and picnicking opportunities abound, to attending or taking part in sporting, artistic and other adventures – people enjoy getting out and seeing what our part of the world has to offer.

It is also a time when the people who live in our communities tend to become more active, engaged and involved in the general hustle and bustle of life.

While we as communities should be aware of the importance of making a good impression at all times, it is at this time in particular that our businesses, service providers and even casual passers-by as a whole must ensure we are setting high standards.

One of the greatest of communication elements in our society is casual word-of-mouth.

In regional areas in particular it can make or break a business and glowingly promote or stifle a city, town or region’s reputation.

We like to believe regional Victorians provide a benchmark in country hospitality and customer service. And some of us are confident we in the Wimmera, southern Mallee and Grampians fringe can sit at the top of a regional list.

Consistent growth represents a panacea for many regional centres.

Business communities in the regions are up against all sorts of pressures ranging from online and metropolitan competition to population drift.

These are circumstances, of course, that, without massive industry or government intervention, are hard to counter, match or control.

So what can we do easily that is automatically cost-effective and can have a profound impact?

To use an old cliché, it isn’t rocket science. In dealing with customers, visitors and people in general, regardless of the pressures of work, we can use good manners, be polite, be helpful, turn good service into outstanding service and critically, smile and be friendly.

To use another cliché, perception is often the greatest reality. If you make people feel good about their experiences, the chances are they will come back – with their friends.

People bring people and the more people engaged the greater the opportunity for growth.

Of course good advice, direction, products and prices are also critical, but all pale into insignificance compared with legitimate friendly good will and-or service.