It is a well-known fact that customers are at the core of any business. If that does not apply for your business, you should definitely start making some changes because valuing your customers is way more important than you might think. So, whether you own a multi-billion dollar company or a bait shop, letting customers know how important they are for you and for the prosperity of your business is essential.
Once you realize that business is more about relationships and less about transactions, you will be able to see that customer retention comes naturally. So, if you don’t really know where to start strengthening relationships with your customers, here are 5 unusual ways which may prove useful.
1. If you own a cake shop put your mom’s secret dessert recipes on the menu. This could also work for a restaurant where you could flaunt your mom’s mac & cheese or sweet potato recipes. If anyone asks, just tell the customers that you found one of your mother’s old recipes and you decided to preserve her legacy by recreating it. This is one easy way to win customers over and you don’t even have to the best baker in the world to do that. With this small gesture customers will see that your company truly cares for people. Being human and showing it is always a plus.
If you plan on opening a restaurant, HERE you can find a restaurant business plan.
2. Another good way for customers to see that you value them is by making house calls. This is the best way to interact with people and offer them support where it is needed. Some companies schedule several types of in-person customer visits. There are two main reasons behind this decision: one is to determine potential problems customers may be facing and the second is that customers appreciate your undivided attention.
3. Ask customers for feedback and get them talking. This is one of the best ways in which they can feel and see that their opinion matters. Do this by inviting customers to your office and setting up a customer council or by carrying out online costumers reviews. By asking them questions like “What would you like to see improved?” you will gradually begin to earn their trust.
4. By personalizing products and services, clients begin to realize that you care about their opinion. Try doing this whenever possible even though in some cases you might be out of your element. A client of mine told me the other day that he had some issues with a translated document. So, I put my translator hat on and offered the best solution I could come up with in the shortest amount of time. It’s been a while since I last translated a document, but my client was more than pleased and told me he could always count on me and if problems like these will ever arise, I’ll be his first call. There’s an expression that goes like “one size fits all”, but in the case of customer relationships, this cannot and will never apply.
5. Try making friends online. If you have a particular set of skills, share it with others so that they could benefit from it. I would have never thought that my international studies would prove helpful one day. As a matter of fact, it has helped me build several new relationships that would prove beneficial. Soon these relationships turned out to be customer relationships and that’s where the story begins. Do you research and find out where your customers usually spend time online, join the conversation and try to befriend them. Since almost all costumers are active online on social networks, it’s only natural for companies to be active online as well.
Taking an interest in your clients, trying to solve their problems and being friendly are valuable business investments in the long run, both because costumers will continue to buy your products or services and will also recommend you to other potential clients. An open attitude and a sincere smile go a long way in the business world.
