A bad customer service experience can ruin your day — and a delightful one can put you in a supremely better mood. For some companies, good customer service is a defining characteristic. I always know I can expect good things from Crate & Barrel, Southwest Airlines and Disney.

What we all should realize is that no matter what your title is, you have a role to play in delivering service — internal customers, external clients, anyone who asks anything of you. Being a service-driven professional isn’t just about answering help desk calls or those calls labeled “customer service.” It’s about doing your job well. It’s always been my personal goal to provide the best service I can, and that’s probably why I’m so easily annoyed when others don’t at least make the effort.

Want to become better in an instant? Here are 5 easy things you can do.

1. Return calls. Yep, that’s it. It’s soooo simple, and yet, you’d be surprised how often calls go ignored. Don’t make anyone wait for more than 24 hours (preferably less).

2. Return e-mails. Never mind that it’s easy and … well, your job … but consider this: The five minutes it takes you to respond today will save you (and the person on the other end) from having to deal with follow-ups. Can’t answer the question today? Acknowledge the person’s request and give him an ETA on the information.

3. Smile. Who do you tip better — the server who brought your food with a smile or the grumpball who threw your plate on the table? Even if you’re not waiting tables for tips, service with a smile matters — as a result, you just might keep your job, excel at your job and feel better about your job! Whether in person or on the phone, we know if you’re smiling. So, give it a try. Who wants to be angry all day anyway?

4. Anticipate. Does your finance department always have to e-mail you on the 1st to remind you that your expense report is due? Why not send yours on the 31st? Dealing with a client who has lots of questions? Anticipate the next one and answer before she even asks.

5. Deal with problems. Sometimes, great customer service can only really shine when there’s a problem. And those companies that come out on top are the ones that excel both when things go right and when they go awry. When my glass pitcher from Crate & Barrel arrived in pieces last Christmas, I called the customer service number and told the rep what happened. A replacement was in the mail the next day, no questions asked. When a local promotional products company delivered a client’s order to my home instead of my client’s, the owner himself came to my house, picked them up and drove them 40 miles north to the appropriate address. As a result, I’ll remain loyal to that company.

What other attributes do YOU think about when you think about great customer service?