Every entrepreneur should keep ‘front of mind’ that customers are not just good for your business, customers are your business!
It is a given that your customers are the most important need of your business: without them you have no business. It follows then that fostering an excellent relationship with your customers is the means to success.
Understand the needs of your customers by creating loyalty so that they will want to return and that they consider your company first. Some key best practices on how to do this:
1] Exceed expectations; but never promise more than can be delivered.
2] Make it a strict policy of your business that everyone (and that includes you) treat your customers with respect. Your customers may not always be right, but they always need understanding and respect.
3] Observe your competitive market and be prepared to change, adapt, and navigate. In this rapidly changing business environment, a competitor may jump ahead of your business concept. Be part of the change, if not ahead of the changes.
4] Remember the effectiveness of communicating: clearly explain what is your business, what you offer, how you deliver and how you can be of the best service. Communicate clearly, to both your staff and customers, so that nothing gets lost in the translation.
5] Build strong teams, listen to your teams. Welcome input, criticism, and ideas. Sometimes your employees understand your customers better than you might.
6] In the same way, listen to your customers. Welcome input, criticism, and ideas.
7] Give prompt response whether to inquiries or concerns. And…resolve issues even more quickly!
8] Address your clients by name and make your customer relations seem personal and show you care about how you deliver to them.
9] Consider loyalty programs or, at the very least, acknowledge customer allegiance.
10] Last but never least, keep customers aware of you, your product, your offers and new items or agendas through various channels: media, blogs, emails or events. Doreen Levitz ASE