Imagination Technology

Customer Appreciation Shouldn't be an Afterthought

Once a customer makes the decision to use your business, your job isn't done. After the "hire," you still need to deliver. And delivery is about good customer service. Great service, however, involves doing more than the customer expects. Great service starts with showing your customer how much appreciate them each and every time they use your business. Don't take your customer list for granted. Develop a customer appreciate program for your best clients. Make sure they understand how much you value doing business with them.

Counterpunch Your Competitor's Brand

What does it mean to counterpunch your competition? Develop your own brand based upon everything your customers hate about doing business with the competition. Just ask. When customers have complaints, they'll tell you. Ask what they don't like about other businesses in the industry (you don't have to name names), and what they would do to make their experience with your business perfect.

Let your customer give you the roadmap to success.

Be friendly. Keep working with you simple. Err on the side of the customer. Build long-term relationships, and do everything you can to keep the customers you have. In an economy like this one, letting your customers know how much they are appreciated goes a long, long way.

Do Your Customers Know What Your Competitive Advantage Is?

Why is it so important that your customers know what your competitive advantage is? Because it's what distinguishes you from everyone else in your market.

Customers want to know what's in it for them. So be plain about it. Highlight the things that you do better than your competition.

Is your product or service a time saver? Is it convenient or is your business in a handy location?

Do you offer immediate service? Can you give customers a quick answer if they call?

Are you more reliable than your competitors? Do you make a pledge to arrive when you say you're going to?

Do you offer superior customer service? Will you go the extra mile to make sure your customer gets exactly what they want?

The best competitive advantages are the things that benefit your customer in terms of time savings, money savings, or making them feel like they're your best, most valuable customer.

Treat Your Best Customers Like Family

When economic times are uncertain, customers need to feel that they are more than just appreciated. They need to feel that they really matter to you and your business.

Develop a customer appreciation program.

Ideally, a good customer appreciation program would:

1) only go to those customers who have been steady and reliable. If you give the deal to everybody, then you're not treating your best customers as something special.

2) it should give those customers an incentive to buy more. Pair up some products that are sold at a discount to your best customers.

3) or, it should give those customers an incentive to buy more often. Or offer a percentage off if they come in or order more often. And up the percentage if they reach a certain level of buying. The lifetime value of repeat business will be more than the money you'll be losing through the discount.

If you're ready to develop a preferred customer program, give us a call.

www.imaginationtechnology.com