Keeping things simple
The beauty of a small business is that it’s usually very community oriented. Owners really get to know their clients and customers. When you’re trying to impress, build or maintain a relationship with a partner or investor, it’s so important to be yourself. Don’t be fake.
When it comes to the whole “wining and dining” thing, a lot of times it’s considered traditional to take clients out to a fancy dinner and take care of the bill. This can work sometimes, but it really doesn’t have to be the only way you close the deal. (And trust me, I know it can be PRETTY expensive, too).
It’s all about building relationships; you want to get as close to possible. There are a lot of advantages to knowing your clients well. E-mail them, give them a quick phone call, and find ways to take a little time to just chat with them. The more you learn about them, the easier it is for you to strengthen those bonds. Wining and dining could be an option if you’ve taken the time to learn that’s what the client wants, but there could be much cheaper ways the client would enjoy more.
Gifts are a great way to show how good of a relationship you have. Walking through the store and notice a book your client mentioned they wanted to pick up? Grab it for them, now you’ve saved yourself an expensive night out, and grabbed a more personal gift they will undoubtedly appreciate.
This isn’t common sense, guys. We’ve been taught to think there’s a formula for these things. Well there isn’t, everybody’s different. Take some time to get to know those differences.
POSTED IN: Customer Service
1 opinion for Keeping things simple
David Gerrard
Jun 20, 2008 at 10:02 am
Yes, this is something worth doing for your regular customers.We spend time, money and effort in obtaining a customers-but do very little to keep them. As this post suggest it doesn’t have to be big or expensive gifts either.
An email, phone call or even a birthday card can do wonders to keep your business at the front of your customers mind.As most people prefer to do business with people we know and trust.
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