Customer satisfaction is valuable, but customer loyalty is priceless. In today's competitive world of business, it is becoming more and more important to deliver customer service that is unbeatable. These ten creative strategies can support you in turning your customers into walking billboards for your business.
1. Treat your customers like royalty.
Hire a customer service representative to greet your customers upon arrival, and offer a coat check service so that customers can comfortably get to know you, your employees, and your place of business
2. Provide valet parking.
Providing valet parking can greatly improve access to your establishment when parking is limited or on days when the weather is challenging. (Note: Tips should not be accepted.)
3. Make a wait enjoyable.
If a customer has to wait, offer a cup of hot coffee, latte, or a glass of sparkling water, a comfortable chair, and a choice of current magazines. (Make sure to update your magazines frequently.) Every ten minutes, have a customer service representative update the customer on the status of their wait.
4. Provide a concierge service.
By adding a concierge service, you can provide added value to your customers "on the spot." Support your clients by making lunch or dinner reservations, making an appointment for a hair cut, providing a list of local attractions, or helping the customer find the one special item that is not offered by your business.
5. Call your customers every Monday morning.
Call your customers every Monday morning at the same time. Call to simply say "hello" and to check in. Ask how things are going, if there is anything you can help with, or what is new in his/her life or business. Share ideas, laughter, and support. It works!
6. Provide "Same Day" or Overnight delivery service.
In today's business world, quick service means happy customers and increased profits. By offering a same day delivery service or overnight via Fed Ex or Airborne Express, you will speed up your profits by providing your goods and services FAST!
7. Call customers on days of celebration.
Keep a file of birthdays, anniversaries, milestones, and special events (graduations, weddings, Bar Mitzvahs,) and call the customer on these special days to say "Congratulations...I am thinking of you on this special day."
8. Provide a voice mail "Tip of the Day."
Make the most of voice mail and answering machines by posting a message that says "WOW!" Include a "tip of the day" on your message tape, which can prove to be highly entertaining and educational to callers, as well as a credibility and rapport builder for you.
9. Provide a cookie service.
One day each month, deliver home-baked cookies to your customers. chocolate chip or shortbread cookies are always popular. This service can be outsourced to a bakery who has a reputation of high quality, and a strategic alliance will be formed in the process.
10. Dazzle the kids!
Dazzle the kids and keep them happy while the parents do business by providing a highly creative "kids corner." Stack this area with games, coloring books, toys, and entertainment. During peak business hours, hire a magician, storyteller, musician, or balloon artist to provide a high level of interaction and pure FUN...will keep everyone happy and "coming back for more."
About The Author
Bea Fields, Southern Pines, NC, USA
Bea Fields is an Executive Coach and a Certified Guerrilla Marketing Coach. She is also a Consultant, Trainer, Public Speaker and author of the Five Star Leader e-course. Her area of expertise is that of Leadership Development and Marketing for Executives, Managers, Small Business Owners, and Political Leaders.
Every customer you have is a word-of-mouth advertiser for you.... Read More
Another sad fact of life is that these days, very... Read More
Nobody likes to get complaints. They make you question your... Read More
What is one of the greatest ways to add value... Read More
1. Hire people who have a service attitude. Some people... Read More
It all started a couple of weeks ago when a... Read More
The President of a 200+ store division of a major... Read More
Today, there are situations when we actually add a "middle... Read More
What do your customers experience when they interact with your... Read More
One of my classes in management focused on the repeat... Read More
I'll always feel warmly about Conrad's restaurant, in Glendale, California.On... Read More
Have you seen that thing on TV where the gal... Read More
In my day to day practice in strategic human resource... Read More
Periodically every sales person encounters the customer who refuses to... Read More
While most companies talk about consumer friendliness, customer centricity, customer... Read More
According to customer service studies by marketing gurus of the... Read More
How often have you left a meeting with a customer... Read More
Good service is easy to spot and hard-to-find. Mediocre service... Read More
It never fails to amaze me how many companies have... Read More
The call center represents your first line of communication with... Read More
After years of flying below the radar in the magazine... Read More
You probably spend a great deal of your time looking... Read More
It's just a simple thing ? I bought a new... Read More
When conducting a training session about customer service, I always... Read More
What is your customer saying about you? Do you really... Read More
A general counsel of a large international consulting firm told... Read More
Are wholesale buyers and retail customers really different? Frankly, there... Read More
If you're a regular reader of my column you know... Read More
"Society is always taken by surprise at any new example... Read More
With the growing number of people in every business sector,... Read More
One thing all successful small business owners have in common... Read More
How often have you left a meeting with a customer... Read More
With all of the calendars and PDA's and lists I... Read More
The defintion of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) that I favor... Read More
According to a Forum Corporation survey of commercial customers lost... Read More
The primary objective of a business is to get and... Read More
If there was a restaurant in your town that was... Read More
Have you ever wondered why you often find a coupon... Read More
Why bother? Good customer service is the life blood of... Read More
"I am writing to complain about the widget I bought... Read More
Customer service and customer service training are vital for any... Read More
Clients? they are the most important influence in the success... Read More
In my day to day practice in strategic human resource... Read More
Over promising is a problem only when you under deliver.... Read More
While most companies talk about consumer friendliness, customer centricity, customer... Read More
The other day while at the book store, I came... Read More
Welcome to the inaugural issue of Human Tech Tips --... Read More
When all else fails in your company to meet the... Read More
Q: I'm so sick of you so-called business experts always... Read More
It all started a couple of weeks ago when a... Read More
Customer Service Customer Service |