In North America, Maserati will emphasize customer relations, elegant dealerships and the work of Officine Alfieri Maserati, a car-customizing service through which buyers can personalize their cars with a choice of 16 exterior colors, 10 leather-trim choices, 5 tops and audio and electronics options.
Many companies that emphasize customer service, like American Express, now let customers dispute charges on line.
SolTec has many competitors, but Ms. Gluskin said it stands out by emphasizing customer needs.
Since Gordon M. Bethune revived Continental's fortunes in the mid-1990s, the company has thrived on a culture emphasizing customer service and peaceful employee relations.
In an age of shoddy and unethical merchandising practices, Field instead emphasized customer service, stressing liberal credit, the one-price system, and the privilege of returning merchandise.
That retail experience shapes Mr. Kanas's view today, particularly his strategy of emphasizing customer service rather than engaging in rate wars to pull in deposits.
The company has emphasized customer service by allowing prospective buyers to try on several frames before buying, and using Facebook and Twitter as ways to keep in touch with customers.
Like Diapers.com and Quidsi's other sites, Vine will deliver in one or two days, with the help of robots that pack boxes in the warehouse within minutes of an online order, and will emphasize customer service and easy returns.
Both technophiles who emphasize customer service, Mr. Bloomberg and Mr. Walder met earlier on Thursday to discuss a plan that would allow subway and bus passengers to call 311, the city's general help line, for questions, complaints and information about their ride.
