Sample Service Encounter Paper (#3) - Gremler.net

understands how each element influences customers and uses this knowledge to theiradvantage.First, Yoko employees are trained to be responsive, reliable and empathetic. Wewere greeted by our waitress immediately and asked our seating preference. When weordered, I requested a specially made sushi roll and a salad with dressing on the side.The waitress readily adapted to my needs and clearly explained the cost addition that therequest would entail. Yoko employees also know how to placate a service deliveryfailure without losing their footing. When our waitress brought out my salad and Ipointed out that the dressing was already on it, she quickly recovered by apologizing andbringing me a new one. In addition, Yoko employees are encouraged to exhibitspontaneity. At the end of the meal our waitress anticipated our needs by offering toprovide separate checks, even though we forgot to tell her that in the beginning. In a sitdown restaurant such as Yoko, the wait staff can make or break a customer’s perceptionof service quality. Yoko employees provide friendly, dependable service and make thecustomer’s experience pleasurable.Second, the physical evidence at Yoko is very effective. The servicescapefacilitates interpersonal usage and has a reasonably elaborate set up. The dining area isrelatively small, but feels spacious due to the high ceiling. The décor is all Asianinspired, with one entire wall painted as a Japanese scene. There is a large bar at the backof the room where you can sit and eat or just go over to watch the chefs prepare sushi.The lighting is soft, but not too intimate. Orchestral music plays at a moderate volume inthe background and the tables are separated enough that other customers’ conversationsare not distracting. During this particular encounter, we were seated at a comfortable