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Get to Know Your Customer Day!
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It's Get to Know Your Customer Day, and whether you are an entrepreneur or selling professional the biggest asset to your business is your customer. As Peter Drucker once said the only purpose of any business existence is the customer.
Although January 15 is “Get to Know Your Customer Day”, this must be proclaimed each day. Lights do not function, cash registers do not open and phones do not ring without a customer. Here are some tips to illustrate customer appreciation:
- Send a thank-you note to every client past and present. Do not attempt to sell them anything, simply thank them for the business.
- The use of CRM (Customer Relationship Management) tools is common. Ensure success by including key dates such as anniversaries and birthdays. One of the greatest examples of CRM is Southwest Airlines. Every year they send a personal thank-you card to their customers.
- Provide a special sales promotion. Retailers constantly provide sales promotions but what have you done for your customers. They are the ones that truly keep you in business.
- Depending on the size of your operation call your clients if they have not visited. A call from you just might prompt a surprise visit.
- I mentioned the use of CRM; also use paper or computer tools to recall family, pet names, spouses and significant others. Customers will think you have the memory of an elephant and they will admire the attention.
- To help acquaintances offer your customers something free. They will appreciate the additional attention and good will.
- Get your employees and freelancers involved. Customer appreciation and knowledge is a cultural shift. The more prevalent the culture of customer service the better the productivity, the better the morale and the better the patronage.
Today’s tight competitive market creates a dire need for customer service. With numerous competitors and a myriad of distractions, customers believe there is ubiquity and they obtain similar services from any vendor. The key to competitive differentiation is customer service. Appreciation from your greatest asset takes no time, little investment and pays a huge return.
©2009. Drew Stevens. All rights reserved.
