Most everyone who lives in Kansas City – and many who have visited – have experienced the friendly "Hi May I Help You" service at Gates Bar-B-Q, a well-known local barbecue joint. Well, I use the term "friendly" a little loosely. Some might call it "overwhelming" or even "frightening." It's a shout from behind the service counter, just about the minute you walk in the door. And the "Hi May I Help You" shout continues until you respond by shouting back your order. It scared me a little at first, but I've come to enjoy yelling out "Beef on bun! With fries!"

So, I was reading an article about the latest service/marketing strategy employed at the Apple stores. They're cutting the customers off at the front door, intercepting the problem before it makes its way to the Genius Bar. This "service as marketing" strategy is gaining popularity, thanks to the Apple powerhouse.

It's a genius strategy, that's for sure. But it wasn't borne from Steve Jobs. Here's one strategy where Gates beat Jobs to the punch. Just about any Kansas City native can look at a "Hi May I Help You" t-shirt and identify Gates Bar-B-Q. Service as marketing creates brand recognition, since 1946.

You're welcome for the tip, Steve. We'll put it on your tab.

Joanie (Hammes) Spencer has a BA in communication from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Mo., and an MA in journalism from the University of Missouri. She dabbled in news reporting before sliding over to the advertising-PR side of the tracks.  Learn more about Joanie.

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment