Every Business is in the Business of First Impressions
Jesse Cole
Owner of Savannah Bananas, Creator of Banana Ball, Author of Fans First & Find Your Yellow Tux, Keynote Speaker
We’re in the business of first impressions. Every business is in the business of first impressions.
Despite this, I’m always amazed at how many offices and restaurants have no one to welcome you when you walk in. All you get is a “Please be seated” sign and maybe a bell, and then you’re expected to wait.
The first impression and the last impression are everything. It doesn’t matter what you sell; your fans want to feel like they’re welcome.
That’s where Keke, our Director of First Impressions, comes in.
Keke came to the Bananas as an introverted intern. Her first day with us, she had a lot of trouble opening up, but I knew she had some magic inside her. I did what I could to reassure her, encouraging her not only to learn as much as she could, but also to have fun.
One night, I needed her to sell beer in the plaza. It was a new challenge for her, and she was visibly nervous. I wanted to break the tension. “Hey Keke,” I said. “You’ve got nothing to lose tonight. People may remember you, or they may not. All I want you to do is give them a good first impression. Yell for beer. Do what you can to get people to come over to your table and buy from you, but do it in a way that’s fun for you. Enjoy yourself!”
By midgame, I walked over to the plaza and found a huge line at her station. There stood Keke, as bright and animated as I’d ever seen, yelling, “Come get tipsy with Keke!”, singing songs, and laughing along with the crowd.
The next day, her energy hadn’t let up. Every phone call was met with a booming, “Savannah Bananas! This is Keke!” When people walked into the office, she’d walk over and either shake their hand or give them a big hug. A switch had gone on in her head, and she realized what her life could actually be like if she simply let go and had fun. I knew she had something in her, but I didn’t know she’d grow to become one of our best employees.
Since her tipsy days, Keke has taken on an expanded role on our staff, masterfully overseeing 160–200 people during every event—and she’s only twenty-three! The work she’s put in for us has been nothing short of amazing, and it all started when she embraced the art of first impressions.
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