Customer service today is getting worse. Win customers over
and you build your business for life. Proven by the leader
in the industry -- Nordstrom's. Nordstrom's customer
service keeps improving and they continue to drive others
out of business because of it. Here are six ways you can
thrill customers and snatch a larger market share from your
competitors.
...Offer to do an extraordinary favor
Here's an example of what I mean: A customer of a moving
firm wanted to ship a kitchen table and chairs set to his
son in a city 300 miles away. But the moving firm had a
hefty weight requirement and a high minimum fee. The firm's
manager said he made regular trips to that city. So he
offered--at no cost--to load the set in his station wagon
and deliver it on his next trip.
...Under promise, over deliver
A well-known air freight company promises to deliver a
package by 10 am the next morning--but often delivers by 9
or 9:30 am. A local printing company always finishes the job
before the due date. These are companies customers can count
on.
...Give them a benefit they don't know exists
If your business offers coupons for certain items, discount
those items for those purchases even if customers don't have
the coupons.
...Put concern above profit
Only offer customers items they can use. Don't sell them
higher-priced products just to make a big sale. You'll win
the loyalty of customers if you look out for their best
interest.
...Follow up after the sale
The most successful salespeople follow up regularly at
scheduled times--not when they have a spare moment. Help
yourself follow up by keeping a log of commitments made and
when you promised to keep them.
...Comfort customers in time of need
Let's discuss this with an example. If a customer's air
conditioning unit blinked out on the hottest Saturday of the
year. Have a backup plan for these type of emergencies.
People never forget it when you ease their comfort and will
become your biggest raving fan. Return their call no matter
how busy you are or have a plan on how to handle these
calls. Work later than normal or have someone part-time and
on-call. Talk with them on how you can ease their comfort
until you can make it there. Ask if they would like to go
to the mall or a movie where it is air conditioned and you
will call them when you arrive. It doesn't matter if you
are in the air conditioning and heating business or you're a
consultant, think of ways you can ease customer's comfort.
And don't forget to advertise that as well.
Catherine Franz is a Life and Business Coach and Master
Practitioner in the Laws of Attraction. Catherine guides
others in finding the light of their own existence and walking
an attractive truth in their own lives.
http://www.abundancecenter.com
http://abundance.blogs.com