Value is a very human perception
Why is gold valuable?
Seemingly, there is a very simple answer but most would not make the logical links and then relate it to producing customer satisfaction!
Gold is malleable – and therefore useful, attractive – and so noticeable, and rare. This rarity makes possession sought after and so confers a high status. A high status in society is related to survival and a higher likelihood to leave genes in the next generation.
So the reason gold is valuable is because of genetic reasons!
Many issues of customer and employee satisfaction relate back to the fundamental biological drivers of survival; food, shelter, reproduction and security.
They can be related to the social activities of coffee breaks, ergonomic chairs and stress. These are some of things that impact on work. No wonder when an employee's job security is threatened they react badly as it has high impact on status and support for family.
The growth of coffee shops is a welcome return to a more social way of conducting business.
So a simple approach to improving customer and employee satisfaction might include simply respecting the needs for living! And treating them like gold!