Posts tagged as:

customer service

In Order To Make More Money … Don’t Focus On The Money

January 31, 2011 · 2 comments

Yes, you read that headline correctly.

In order to make more money, don’t focus on the money.

Sometimes in business everything seems to be about the money. How much you’re making compared with how much you’re spending. To some extent, that’s fair enough. After all, you need to be making a profit otherwise there’s no point being in business.

But here’s a suggestion…

Try setting aside time for planning financially, to work out your budget and set your prices and so on. Then set aside regular times to review these things and make adjustments as necessary.

Then, outside of those times, forget about the money and focus on helping your customers and clients. Focus on really getting to know them and what they need, and on helping others and solving your customers’ problems.

Believe it or not, you’ll usually find that your customer relations will improve and profits will increase. All because you spent more time focusing on your customers and on truly provide products and/or services that helped them, instead of focusing on how much money you were making (or not making!)

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Embellysh Photography – Giving That Little Bit Extra

December 18, 2010 · 3 comments

Donna-Marie CogginsThose who know me would probably know that I don’t like having my photo taken. However recently I spent an afternoon at a local park with Katie Bennett from Embellysh Photography in Brisbane, Australia, who took some updated shots for me.

I’ve added just a couple of the photos here.

I have to say, Katie is an absolute delight to work with. She really knows how to get people (in this case, me!) to relax and be themselves in front of the camera.

So this post is partly to show off Katie’s work and acknowledge her excellent skills, but I also wanted to highlight the extra care that she gives when providing her services.

I often speak about the importance of giving a little bit more … always doing a bit more than is expected of you or giving more. This can be one thing that really distinguishes you from your competitors.

Katie does just that … gives that little bit more. She not only makes it easy to work with her before, during and after the photo session, but it’s the finishing touches she adds that make the experience all the more special.

This is something you should also consider in your business – what ‘finishing touches’ can you add to your product or service that will make you stand out from your competitors?

Perhaps you could package your product in a way that makes it seem more special? Or could you follow-up with your client a week Donna-Marie Cogginsafter providing the services to make sure they’re happy with the results? Maybe you could add a little gift to your customer’s order?

I remember when I bought a car through a car broker a few years ago. Not only had the broker helped me to find the sort of car I was looking for and negotiate a great deal for me, but when I signed the paperwork and took delivery of my new car I was also given a bottle of wine, a bunch of flowers and box of chocolates, all beautifully wrapped, from the broker and the car dealer.

(NB: I’ve bought 5 cars in my lifetime, and this was the only time I’d been given ‘a little bit more’ with my car.)

The gifts wouldn’t have cost much, but made sure I remembered that experience above each of the others.

Then, 12 months later, the car dealer sent my car (yes, my car) a ‘Happy 1st Birthday’ card. This wasn’t for a new car, by the way. This was a second-hand car. But next time I wanted to buy a car, who do you think I contacted first?

So if you’re not already giving that little bit extra with the products or services you provide, please take a few minutes right now to list some things that you can implement in your business to ensure your customers truly enjoy their experience of dealing with you.

Better still, if you don’t mind sharing these ideas, please post them in a comment below. I’d love to hear what you do to

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How Far Do You Go To Keep Your Customers Happy?

April 28, 2010 · 0 comments

No matter how long you’ve been in business you’ve no doubt heard sayings such as, “The customer is always right.” And perhaps you have bent over backwards to keep some customers happy, no matter what.

But can you go too far? Absolutely!

Providing excellent customer service is extremely important for a successful business, there’s no doubt about that, and it can often be something that sets you apart from your competitors. But at some point you’ve probably had a particular customer or client whom you wish would shop elsewhere. You know the ones … no matter what you do they will find something to complain about. Or they love your work (or product or service) and praise you openly, but then pressure you to give them extra or to do the work faster to meet their urgent deadline and may become quite unreasonable when you explain why you can’t accommodate their requests.

So many small business owners are keen to keep all customers and prospective customers happy that they sometimes forget to set their own boundaries and policies. While keeping your customers happy, it should not be to the detriment of other customers or yourself, your family or staff members.

I recall a few years ago when myself and a colleague made a similar request to a third party. We both had our requests denied on what seemed to be reasonable grounds. However my colleague jumped up and down and would abuse them and call them all sorts of names on the phone until eventually the third party gave in and gave them what they asked for. When I explained my disappointment and asked why they gave in to my colleague but denied me the same request the reply I received was, “I’m very sorry. I don’t think it’s fair at all but sadly, sometimes you have to give the best oil to the squeakiest wheel to keep them quiet.”

Needless to say I was very upset by this situation and although it was 16 years ago, it’s stayed with me all these years. But I use it now as a reminder that I don’t want to be like that company. I don’t agree that those who cause the most trouble should be rewarded with services, products or prices that your best customers can’t have. Doesn’t it make more sense to reward the good customers rather than those who cause trouble?

Of course, if the complaints are justified then that’s different. If you’ve made a mistake or provided an unsatisfactory product or service then you should make amends and go above and beyond to apologise for the mistake.

It’s also quite reasonable for you to go above and beyond for customers, over-delivering and doing or giving ‘a little bit more’.

But in the general sense, it’s important to have clear boundaries and policies around how you work, what you provide and how much you charge and stick to them. If someone is making unreasonable demands upon you, don’t give in and provide something that you wouldn’t offer to every other customer. Perhaps they are not actually the right customer for you … perhaps there are other businesses that can provide what they’re looking for as a standard service, in which case it’s better for them to go to that store or service provider.

Next time a customer is placing unreasonable demands upon you, before giving in stop and ask yourself if you’re rewarding their bad behaviour.

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When Customers Want What You Don’t Have

October 16, 2008 · 2 comments

How many times does someone ask you for a particular product or service that you don’t supply? Sometimes it’s not viable for you to provide that product or service, but do you take time to consider it?

I was recently chatting with a group of friends about how difficult it can be to get a particular health product. Each of us had a similar experience with a variety of health products – none of the local health stores sold them, nor did any of them have any suggestions as to where we could find them. In my case, another friend also uses the same product and found a supplier across town who has online ordering facilities. I now buy my supplies through this store, as do several other friends I’ve recommend them to.

Mind you, if the local store had offered to try to locate and stock the product, or order it in for me, I would have recommended them to all my friends and they would have increased their customer base and sales. In fact, I no longer buy anything from them as I can now get everything I need in one place… without even leaving my home.

Annette Piper makes the most stunning gemstone jewellery and has received many requests for rings. Although she didn’t make rings, she does now! This is a perfect example of listening to what your customers want… and giving it to them.

Here’s to your success in business,

Donna-Marie

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How Do You Disagree With Clients Politely?

October 13, 2008 · 2 comments

This is an interesting topic and one that most business owners will face from time to time.

It’s important to remember that we don’t always have to agree with each other but if you want to get your point across, there are ways of doing so politely and in a way that you are more likely to come to an amicable agreement.

Disagreeing with clients… the nice way! by Tash at Word Constructions is well worth reading and gives some good tips on the topic.

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