After I visit local companies like a customer and get, “How’s business?” The solution I hear a great deal is, “It’s slow. What are ya gonna do? Just how can a company grow in this tight economy?”
It is a fair question since these truly are tough, frightening occasions. The economy is unpredictable, apparently unstable and mostly unfriendly with regards to owning and operating a little or medium-sized business.
Honestly though, I am absolutely shocked just how unpredictable, apparently unstable and mostly unfriendly MANY business proprietors will be to their clients, clients and patients. It’s among the couple of things nowadays that leaves me completely without words.
In the past 12 several weeks, I’ve driven over 15,000 miles on various mix-country road journeys over the U . s . States. I have spent days in San antonio, Washington, D.C., Vermont, Philadelphia, New You are able to City, and everywhere among. All on the way I have stopped in a bazillion different companies.
To my amazement, the factor 80% of individuals companies been on common was they demonstrated in my experience precisely how little they thought about me like a customer. So far as they understood, I had been a nearby resident who had been a possible, existence-lengthy customer of their own. It did not matter. They simply did not worry about me. The greater the company made an appearance to depend upon location and feet traffic, the greater they appeared to deal with their clients with disdain and contempt.
Consider it…you have had similar encounters in your community…possibly to this day. Sadly, individuals types of companies would be the norm nowadays.
Oftentimes, I left without purchasing anything…despite the fact that I’d gone using the intent (and cash!) to purchase.
Like a business growth strategist that has dedicated myself to assisting to grow companies, clearly I am more hyper-vigilant and sensitive like a customer. Regardless, behavior and attitudes which are blatant and apparent in my experience still register together with your customers…a minimum of in an unconscious level.
“To him that watches, things are revealed.” (Italian proverb) Start watching more carefully when you are visiting another business like a customer. You will see what I am speaking about.
But, if you are really brave, you’ll look just like carefully at the own small business. Be careful about your staff because they communicate with your clients (and one another). Notice any subtle “attitude” or general unhelpfulness. Notice any idleness within their insufficient resourcefulness and insufficient proactivity. Count the number of occasions they are saying “no” or “sorry, we can notOrdo not do this” throughout a day along with a week. Attempt to witness everything as the customers would. You’ll learn tons!
Amusingly, these companies all shared another factor in keeping. When requested how their business was doing…the majority of them blamed the economy for the way bad things were. I suppose additionally they blame the economy for his or her hostility, rudeness and stinginess towards their clients. They cannot be prepared to boost their business when their attitude towards their clients drives individuals customers away.
