<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Kelly Middleton Educational Services]]></title><description><![CDATA[I offer trainings, workshops and lectures for public schools and districts who want to improve their school culture by using customer service concepts]]></description><link>https://www.kellymiddleton.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Sun, 10 May 2026 04:57:59 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.kellymiddleton.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Local Heroes of Customer Service]]></title><description><![CDATA[Photo Credit: Steak 'n Shake Instagram I’ve been pretty tough on Steak ’n Shake over the years. In my books and presentations about customer service, it’s been one of my go-to examples of how not to treat customers. And, honestly, the criticism has usually been well-deserved. While their burgers are solid, the service has consistently been slow, indifferent, or confusing enough that I often left wondering why I had just spent that much time and money for such a frustrating experience. But...]]></description><link>https://www.kellymiddleton.com/post/local-heroes-of-customer-service</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6957f4e862dea684c2ec29da</guid><pubDate>Sun, 04 Jan 2026 04:21:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9441ce_25b6f2109a08475390bd9db885131bc7~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_540,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kelly E. Middleton</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[New Book: "School Bus Drivers Who Care" is out NOW!]]></title><description><![CDATA[School Bus Drivers Who Care: 20 Tips to Improve Student-Driver Relationships  is the latest release in my series of books about customer service for public schools. So far I've written books for all employees , administrators , teachers , food service employees , and front office staff . Now, I focus on the transportation department—a group I find to be overlooked by many administrators looking to improve their school's customer service. In School Bus Drivers Who Care , I share real stories...]]></description><link>https://www.kellymiddleton.com/post/new-book-school-bus-drivers-who-care-is-out-now</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69371c4911242cd607acb190</guid><pubDate>Tue, 09 Dec 2025 18:27:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9441ce_88767439e45f4fe48519730c9785efc2~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kelly E. Middleton</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Going Above and Beyond: The Most Powerful Path to Customer Loyalty]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Nordstrom Tire Story In my books, I frequently reference customer service research which shows that consistently going above and...]]></description><link>https://www.kellymiddleton.com/post/going-above-and-beyond-the-most-powerful-path-to-customer-loyalty</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68717bfdac041791c7887c3f</guid><pubDate>Fri, 11 Jul 2025 21:10:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9441ce_ce4ec6bbed2f43caa0c841f1901b5b61~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kelly E. Middleton</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Red Tape: How Customer-Service Minded Employees' Hands Are Tied By Policy]]></title><description><![CDATA[Anyone who's read my books or followed this blog knows that I have a big problem with policies getting in the way of companies giving...]]></description><link>https://www.kellymiddleton.com/post/red-tape-how-customer-service-minded-employees-hands-are-tied-by-policy</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6841a8c12e0c4f9f01ec7f66</guid><pubDate>Fri, 06 Jun 2025 01:12:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9441ce_01635b1fa1ac404fb6fc97351a2f7664~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kelly E. Middleton</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[KFC: A Case Study in Lost Potential and Lukewarm Leadership]]></title><description><![CDATA[As someone who has spent a career leading people and writing about customer service, I try hard to give businesses and their leaders the...]]></description><link>https://www.kellymiddleton.com/post/kfc-a-case-study-in-lost-potential-and-lukewarm-leadership</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68050c918015badfbc21ebc3</guid><pubDate>Sun, 20 Apr 2025 15:18:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9441ce_74a3a045fae64464832a42f3d9bdd2c0~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kelly E. Middleton</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What Your “Closed for Lunch” Sign Is Really Telling Your Customers]]></title><description><![CDATA[Imagine this: A busy professional finally gets a break in their packed day—their one chance to run an important errand. They rush to your...]]></description><link>https://www.kellymiddleton.com/post/what-your-closed-for-lunch-sign-is-really-telling-your-customers</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67c0f4b9a0ce070452808687</guid><pubDate>Thu, 27 Feb 2025 23:33:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9441ce_d8891c3a32de4a8c9ebb9af20fcd7523~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kelly E. Middleton</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[When It Comes to Students with ADHD, Many Times, Schools Get It Wrong]]></title><description><![CDATA[My son, Russ, was really struggling when he was in first grade. Day after day, he came home with notes from the school about his poor...]]></description><link>https://www.kellymiddleton.com/post/when-it-comes-to-students-with-adhd-many-times-schools-get-it-wrong</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66edcc03ce69aba261fa1294</guid><pubDate>Fri, 20 Sep 2024 19:34:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9441ce_13163d29a1114ef0b51fbb088d75e182~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kelly E. Middleton</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Plea for Meaningful Engagement: Why Schools and Businesses Must Honor the Value of Feedback]]></title><description><![CDATA[To schools and businesses alike: if you ask for my time and input, please use it meaningfully. It's disheartening to be consulted for...]]></description><link>https://www.kellymiddleton.com/post/a-plea-for-meaningful-engagement-why-schools-and-businesses-must-honor-the-value-of-feedback</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66bfc15e4257b6b68c4bc890</guid><pubDate>Fri, 16 Aug 2024 22:12:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9441ce_ae0fb624e70c4e4a86a170de893fc487~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kelly E. Middleton</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Unexpected Customer Service Is Powerful]]></title><description><![CDATA[I have been writing and speaking about customer service for over 30 years and I still get excited when I see someone passionate about...]]></description><link>https://www.kellymiddleton.com/post/unexpected-customer-service-is-powerful</link><guid isPermaLink="false">665e2d149c027fdb7b4d4a76</guid><pubDate>Mon, 10 Jun 2024 21:33:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9441ce_ab1db5cc2e7349cd8ab252db4e7f11f6~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kelly E. Middleton</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Embracing ADHD Superpowers: Lessons from the Gridiron]]></title><description><![CDATA[As I eagerly anticipate the release of my sixth book this April, which takes a distinct turn to explore "ADHD Superpowers," I'm...]]></description><link>https://www.kellymiddleton.com/post/embracing-adhd-superpowers-lessons-from-the-gridiron</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65b86b8cabeb411cbc52b619</guid><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jan 2024 15:53:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9441ce_547280b9801c438c9f76e02ad2aa3c1f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kelly E. Middleton</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Will Smith Slap: How to Give an Effective Apology]]></title><description><![CDATA[What every business, school system or leader can learn from the Will Smith slap of Chris Rock I am a huge fan of Will Smith as I really...]]></description><link>https://www.kellymiddleton.com/post/the-will-smith-slap-how-to-give-an-effective-apology</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6329fb2c04f667c733c07062</guid><pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2022 21:59:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9441ce_b852665e4887487cb838fca02505354d~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kelly E. Middleton</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Public School Gatekeepers Is Out Now! ]]></title><description><![CDATA[My latest book on customer service in public schools, Public School Gatekeepers, shows school office staff how to improve customer service.]]></description><link>https://www.kellymiddleton.com/post/public-school-gatekeepers-is-out-now</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6165fcb99cdd9900170f49ad</guid><pubDate>Wed, 27 Oct 2021 14:58:05 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9441ce_ef05f63e8a484e3ea4f295a297e6a427~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kelly E. Middleton</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Treat Your Employees Like They're Your Customers]]></title><description><![CDATA[One of my customer service principles is that you must give great service to your employees if you expect them to give great service to...]]></description><link>https://www.kellymiddleton.com/post/treat-your-employees-like-they-re-your-customers</link><guid isPermaLink="false">60f589ec516a160015719198</guid><pubDate>Tue, 24 Aug 2021 18:26:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9441ce_5174b0c9f69f4db1b84aa9a3321dfbdb~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kelly E. Middleton</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[School Supply Madness: July Is Our Amazing Race/Treasure Hunt]]></title><description><![CDATA[I was at a local bookstore recently and saw one of my public education pet peeves on display: teacher school supply lists. School...]]></description><link>https://www.kellymiddleton.com/post/find-my-school-supplies-july-is-our-amazing-race-treasure-hunt</link><guid isPermaLink="false">60e929a6098ba9001689d5d9</guid><pubDate>Thu, 15 Jul 2021 22:08:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9441ce_b32108a4633f47b0ae4796a4076f67dd~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kelly E. Middleton</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[My Upcoming Book and The Angry Customer]]></title><description><![CDATA[Angry customers can hurt your school. Prevent problems before they happen by training front office staff!]]></description><link>https://www.kellymiddleton.com/post/my-upcoming-book-and-the-angry-customer</link><guid isPermaLink="false">60c27ccdbeed790015034340</guid><category><![CDATA[School Office Professionals]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 18 Jun 2021 16:45:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9441ce_df6ccc8b4bc14c2bba623c1b2c1a1bd1~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kelly E. Middleton</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The NCAA and The "Covid Excuse” ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Photo Credit: Sedona Prince via Twitter How Long Will It Take For The "Covid Excuse” For Bad Service To End After The Pandemic Is Over? ...]]></description><link>https://www.kellymiddleton.com/post/the-ncaa-and-the-covid-excuse</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6063843a8261c4001582dfe2</guid><pubDate>Wed, 31 Mar 2021 20:03:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9441ce_2cfe4b84731f46ff8e9b1dee910ccadf~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kelly E. Middleton</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Be the "Disney" of Public Education]]></title><description><![CDATA[One of my favorite blogs to read is Shep Hyken's on Forbes.com. Shep always shares good insights for leaders on the subject of customer...]]></description><link>https://www.kellymiddleton.com/post/how-to-be-the-disney-of-public-education</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5ef21b0466651d00176e82ca</guid><pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2020 18:52:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9441ce_2c6e5c96ebb24254bd262765e493fade~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kelly E. Middleton</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Food Service Challenge: Know Your Customers!]]></title><description><![CDATA[Kids have a lot of different preferences today versus 20 years ago. Food service simply cannot serve the same staple cafeteria foods...]]></description><link>https://www.kellymiddleton.com/post/food-service-challenge-know-your-customers</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5ec6a75fa1d5130017fec899</guid><category><![CDATA[Food Service]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2020 20:56:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9441ce_7c6dd9854cc44f90b1987bd6b72b4e1f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kelly E. Middleton</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Rumors, Gossip and Politicking During a Pandemic]]></title><description><![CDATA[This is the fourth in a series of posts on the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic. You can read the first, second and third on my blog. As public...]]></description><link>https://www.kellymiddleton.com/post/rumors-gossip-and-politicking-during-a-pandemic</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5ef0d472966b9f00177efa4a</guid><pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2020 17:30:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9441ce_6a56a6f1afd34341a854e1c0c7ce67b5~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kelly E. Middleton</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The School Reopening Dilemma]]></title><description><![CDATA[This is the fourth piece in a series of posts on customer service for public schools during the Covid-19 pandemic. To see all posts on...]]></description><link>https://www.kellymiddleton.com/post/the-school-reopening-dilemma</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5f0f55ff58f8e50017055d4a</guid><category><![CDATA[Pandemic Series]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2020 14:11:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9441ce_02f49470e8bb43d7aa8c1bf4b561c03b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kelly E. Middleton</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>