Many businesses — both those large and small — could stand to learn a few lessons from Jason Plummer.

Plummer, the owner and pharmacist of the Coal Grove Pharmacy, takes a down-to-earth approach to operating his business that could be mirrored in many businesses across the county and across America.

The pharmacy has been in operation for about four years and takes a customer-service-first approach. The business shows an attention to detail that helps elevate it above many of their competitors in our fast-paced society where the focus on the customer and being friendly is often tossed to the wayside.

In a time when many businesses have been struggling, going to great lengths to cut expenses, change the way they operate and find a way to stay afloat, Plummer has stuck to his business model that he feels works.

It is based upon Plummer’s basic principle, “If it’s good in good times, it’ll be good in bad times.”

There’s a lot of truth to that approach and seems to serve him well. The small community pharmacy has a strong following and does well to gain repeat customers. This approach is often lost on big chains and corporate giants.

Customer service can be a challenge for any business — and certainly at a newspaper.

It is a constant project that will never be completed or perfectly resolved.

Quality service will require clear vision, good employees and a commitment to wanting to do the right thing for the right reasons.

During this economic recession, these are lessons that can be the difference between weathering the storm and battening down the hatches for good.