Customers will make or break every business. They pay for your goods (services) and ultimately are your profit. A business thrives on providing a value to a customer's needs. As a business you have the challenge of attracting customers, but not just any customers; the RIGHT customers that you can serve best. An ideal customer knows what they want and understands that you can fulfill that need. It's a symbiotic relationship of having the best experience for that person and the possibility of creating a great long term partnership serving each other. You make them feel comfortable, take care of their needs, and ensure they are happy.
Take the perspective of a customer: I NEED ________!!!!
What is their main concern, what would a client appreciate more? Best value? Best quality? Consistency? Customer Service? Customers are willing to pay more for what they perceive as most important service when dealing with a business. There are two business challenges here:
Now for a bit of bad news... not every client you come across will be happy with your product or services. Your initial response is to try to please every customer and spend time attending to their needs. BUT, this can be a time & energy waste if you feel that they are never happy with your attempts to reasonably solve their needs. This is where networking with your competitors comes in handy; if you can't best serve that customer maybe someone else with the proper skills can. This can be both a win-win situation for you, your competitor and the customer that you don't want. This is not about you pleasing the customer, but giving the customer the value they need (even though you are not the one providing it).
Take the perspective of a customer: I NEED ________!!!!
What is their main concern, what would a client appreciate more? Best value? Best quality? Consistency? Customer Service? Customers are willing to pay more for what they perceive as most important service when dealing with a business. There are two business challenges here:
How do you provide a value or service that the client is willing to pay a premium price? And what is your greatest strength that you provide that you potential client finds valuable when doing business with you? Answer those questions and the better off you are focusing on attracting the clients you wish to work with.
Now for a bit of bad news... not every client you come across will be happy with your product or services. Your initial response is to try to please every customer and spend time attending to their needs. BUT, this can be a time & energy waste if you feel that they are never happy with your attempts to reasonably solve their needs. This is where networking with your competitors comes in handy; if you can't best serve that customer maybe someone else with the proper skills can. This can be both a win-win situation for you, your competitor and the customer that you don't want. This is not about you pleasing the customer, but giving the customer the value they need (even though you are not the one providing it).
The golden rule treat the customer as you want to be treated, and build a customer base that respects and value your services.
