No Recession for Customer Service

The current economic conditions have created a growing concern among many businesses, and also consumers. The specific causes for the downturn have been attributed to everything from the way banks lend money, to the weak U.S. dollar, consumer reluctance, or Mercury being in retrograde. Whatever the reason, good business practices and maintaining good relationships with customers by skilled customer service professionals are keys to thriving in growth cycles and surviving during slow periods too.

With help from San Diego's North Island Credit Union, here are some tips for businesses that wish to enhance their chances for long-term success, even in an economic recession. They suggest that you do these five customer-related things well:

1. Be Different. Krispy Kreme makes millions of doughnuts daily, yet, they have two small differences from other doughnut chains - First, they replaced walls with glass so children and parents alike could be amazed by the automated doughnut production. Second, every customer is welcomed with a free, fresh doughnut hot off the line!
2. Nuture Sales. 80% of your business comes from 20% of your customers. Find ways to thank customers all year. Personal notes or emails are good, or introducing frequent buyer and referral incentives.
3. Create Sizzle. Avoid peaks and valleys caused by too much focus on the day-to-day business. Embrace a marketing plan that combines strategic and frequent advertising buys with ongoing public relations, special events, direct mail and email promos.
4. Stick to It. Define specific actions for each week. Qualify potential customers. Communicate value. Refine your offerings and keep building relationships.
5. Be Prepared. Keep good records and perform against the plan that enabled you to secure your first business loans. Include a data base of customers so you do not lose touch with your greatest source of income - the all important 20% group.

Even in tougher times, the customer is still King and Queen.

D.C.

In Service to Family

Dear Readers,

In the last few months I took a vacation from writing this blog.  I am sorry to anyone who tuned in to read the latest post and saw nothing new.  Since my last post, shortly after the San Diego 2007 firestorms, my life has changed.  Don't get me wrong,  I am still very passionate about customer service, but now that I am no longer a single man, I look at each day as an opportunity to service my family as well as the strangers I have always served in the past.

Life is short ladies and gentlemen.  I wish that we could all treat each other with compassion and consideration - in service to each other.  However, I have learned that family (spouses in particular) come first.  I have made many mistakes concerning my family members in the past and I vow to never make those mistakes again.  My campaign to make the world a better place to live through better service to each other will never end, but my priorities have been shaken and now permanently re-arranged.  I now look at life through two pairs of eyes - and it looks great!  These are of course the words of a man in love.  In love with my wife and now with my life. 

Please stay tuned.  I am re-inspired!  Thanks for reading.

Don