Since we were kids, we were taught to stay clean, well kept and presentable. Recently I had a conversation with an 84-year-old gentleman who told me that deep inside he still feels like a kid. He said that he looks to the future and the new things he will accomplish.

This made me ponder the difference between perception and reality.I’m pretty sure that as kids, none of us wished we would be in the businesses we are currently in. I know that I didn’t watch Superman and think, “Some day, I will be a master at marketing, business coaching and branding for public health departments.”

So that being said, let’s look at our perceptions about our businesses. When you think about yours, do you think it’s a glowing, dazzling success or is it just a way to earn a buck?

More importantly, how do your customers see you? The best health departments make customers feel lucky and privileged to have “discovered” a great resource. These experiences make your customers want to share their positive experiences with their friends, coworkers and families.

The only way to truly know how well (or poorly) you are doing is to ask!

Over time, we all can develop the cataract of misconception. The emperor has no clothes! How well you master this will determine whether or not your customers will be repeaters or “referrers.” Don’t be afraid to ask.

Hopefully, your perception is not far away from your customer’s reality.