When I was 14, I got my first job as a cashier/waitress at a very popular country style buffet restaurant.  I got to see the ins and outs of the buffet restaurant business, and for that reason, I cringe when my father wants to eat at places like Golden Corral.

Yet I digress.

At any rate, I hate going to a buffet towards “the end of the line”.  That was our code for the food that goes out before we close or change the menu.  When a shift first starts, the food is fresh, good and aesthetically appetizing.  However, when it gets closer to menu change or closing time, the food is older and not that appealing.  Ever run into that with your business? When your office hours start, you are fresh, motivated, ready to take on the world!  But one hour or so prior to closing time, things start to drag, the sheen has worn off and you are ready to run from the phone.

How can you put out fresh “food” on your buffet before closing time?

* Take a break from work 30 min prior to your end of day hours. Focus on refreshing yourself:  drink water, have an apple.  Recenter yourself.  Come back ready to take on the last hour as if it were your first.

* When you respond to your emails or answer your phone, do so with a smile on your face.  You can hear it over the phone and you can tell in the tone of the email.

* Don’t focus on or start a new project at the end of the day.  Focus on giving the best experience as possible.