A Business Truth –There is no need to market if your small business does not offer great customer service? And by customer service, I am not just talking about a good return policy. Customer service starts in the pre-purchase decision making effort through purchase and then right on to use, today, tomorrow and for the…
Just over a month ago, I asked for your help (see A Question: Service Expectations – Jan 18th). I thought I should share the thoughts given and an update on my situation. In brief, my question asked if employees of a food establishment should be able to guide me through the payment process using my…
No doubt about it: We all like to have a “wow” customer experience. Yet research has found that, while the “knock your socks off” experience is one you remember, what gets customers back in the door is when they receive ongoing solid, good service from your company time and time again. Consumers like consistency. They…
If you have been reading my Wednesday contributions to Small Business Survival, you know to expect some tip for your business operation or some new idea seen elsewhere. This week you will find something different. I need your thoughts. I have an opinion but am I realistic? Here is the situation. Over the weekend, I…
How often have you entered a store only to experience one of these two scenarios? You can’t find anyone to help you or a salesperson descends on you and just won’t go away so you can shop. You hear a lot about the importance of customer service. Yet, much of what you read and hear…
It may be that I grew up in a small town area, but mention “small-town service” to people and they will know what you are talking about. So when I saw the tagline on this business sign, I felt I understood how this business treated their customers. (You can read more about developing the tagline…
Your customers are your business. Connecting with them means success or failure. How well does your business do in terms of connecting? You won’t find many answers in this column, but you will find lots of questions you need to think about. How do you connect with your customers? I suspect many of you have…
I just had a recent experience that reinforced the importance of customer service. A recent trip to our basement found water on the floor by the water heater (How many of you can relate?). The plumber was called. They came out. Upon a brief inspection, they informed my wife that it wasn’t the water heater,…
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