Making Customer Satisfaction a Priority
By James Pruitt, Senior Staff Writer
Businesses need to engage with customers in order to succeed. A good relationship requires demonstrated concern for the client’s well-being and satisfaction.
1. Communicate with the customer in a manner they feel comfortable with.
Businesses should adapt to the communication preferences of their clientele. Many people find email time-saving because they can respond at their leisure. Others prefer texts because of the instant notification. Others prefer the familiarity of a phone call. Some who speak English as a second language feel more comfortable with a written message.
Additionally, not everyone uses Twitter, Ticktock, or Facebook, but assuming your clients do, why shouldn’t you? Proprietors and clients should sync with their clientele in the digital world as well as the real world.
2. When professional and practical, extend the relationship outside the business realm.
We’re talking about building friendships, or at least familiar customer relationships. Of course, we are excluding businesses that maintain professional boundaries, such as doctors and lawyers. However, owners of small shops, restaurants, and manufacturers have every reason to incorporate their personal relationships into their businesses. These kinds of relationships can help form a community of collegial, like-minded people who love your product or service.
Here’s one funny strategy: Many companies recognize micro-holidays such as National Red-Apple Day, National Peanut Day, and World-Wide Volkswagen Beetle Day. Extra points if the holiday is relevant to your business!
Also, many companies make a small celebration out of the birthdays of customers and employees. A small card can go a long way in reminding your client of the importance of your practice. Even an internet celebration can soften hearts and create a familiar mood.
3. Product education can build a relationship
Especially with technical products, effective customer support can build rapport with the company. Different techy products may require different measures, depending on the industry. One example may be sponsorship of training classes for your product, if practical. As another option, a launching event for a new product may provide another option to build a community of loyal customers. Make it a party!
4. Find small ways to go above expectations
As we’ve said before on this blog, if you have extra inventory that you absolutely can’t get rid of, give it away for free. You may or may not want to give a birthday scene for the birthday boy or girl at a restaurant. But a more discrete strategy to make a connection may be a small birthday deal or gift. Polite, discrete ways to make customers feel special never hurt anyone and will increase your popularity with your customers.
Overall, whenever possible, always try to go above expectations when the opportunity arises. Maybe during a slow time, going the extra mile with a service or product just may keep the customer coming back. These measures are important not only to increase revenue but even to provide further online reviews.
5. Conclusion
Never forget the importance of a community of loyal customers to boost your brand. Only customer satisfaction can build your business to capacity. Even with the best conceivable product or service, only good marketing can build success for a veteran entrepreneur. Remember these maxims from this blog and those to follow.
VAMBOA, the Veterans and Military Business Owners Association hope that this article has not only been valuable but provided some unique perspective. We work hard to bring you important, positive, helpful, and timely information and are the “go-to” online venue for Veteran and Military Business Owners. VAMBOA is a non-profit trade association. We do not charge members any dues or fees and members can also use our seal on their collateral and website. If you are not yet a member, you can register here: https://vamboa.org/member-registration/
We also invite you to check us out on social media too.
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Do not forget that VAMBOA members receive significant discounts on technology needs. Check them out here: https://vamboa.org/dell-technologies/
