As a small business owner, you may often wonder how to stay competitive in today's market. With so many options available to consumers, it can be challenging to stand out from the crowd. However, the answer is simpler than you might think: provide good old fashioned service and advice.
What is Good Old Fashioned Service?
Good old fashioned service is all about putting the customer first. It means going above and beyond to meet their needs and exceed their expectations. It's about treating each customer as an individual and providing personalized attention. Whether you work within a fully automated system or like us you answer the phone and provide the service then and there, it is more important than ever to keep your customers up to date with any information be it good or bad about their purchase or their enquiry.
Why is Good Old Fashioned Service Important?
Good old fashioned service is important because it builds trust and loyalty with your customers. When they know they can rely on you to provide excellent service and advice, they are more likely to choose your business over your competitors.
Good old fashioned service doesn't end when the customer has their product. It needs to extend from here and I don't mean with numerous emails and messages. Good old fashioned service includes providing information after the sale. This could be in the form of replacement parts or information on maintenance even months or years after their purchase. Depending on the product it could be information on repairs or rebuilding after a move. My point is to make this transaction as easy as the initial purchase was no matter how many days, months or even years it has been.
How to Provide Good Old Fashioned Service
Providing good old fashioned service starts with understanding your customers' needs and preferences. Take the time to listen to their concerns and address them with empathy and understanding.
Another key aspect of good old fashioned service is being responsive and reliable. Respond to customer inquiries and concerns in a timely manner, and follow through on any promises or commitments you make. Additionally, it's important to be knowledgeable about your products or services. This allows you to provide accurate and helpful advice to your customers, helping them make informed decisions.
If you don't know, don't worry and definitely don't pretend to know. Ask for more information and find out for them. You might have an answer in minutes (providing a colleague can help) or you may need to get back to them a little later via email or a phone call. The key point here is getting back to them.
The Benefits of Good Old Fashioned Service
By focusing on providing good old fashioned service and advice, you can enjoy several benefits for your business:
- Customer loyalty: When customers receive exceptional service, they are more likely to become repeat customers and recommend your business to others.
- Positive reputation: Word-of-mouth is a very powerful marketing tool. By providing great service, you can build a positive reputation in your community.
- Competitive advantage: In a crowded marketplace, good old fashioned service can help you stand out from your competitors and attract new customers.
- Increased sales: When customers trust your advice and recommendations, they are more likely to make a purchase, leading to increased sales for your business.
So, the next time you wonder how to stay competitive in today's market, remember that good old fashioned service and advice is what you need. By putting the customer first and providing exceptional service, you can build a loyal customer base and thrive in any industry.
As a little side note I like to live by one of Babs (Barbara Streisand) most beautiful songs......... "people who need people are the luckiest people in the world". Keep it real, keep it simple and keep it honest.
Keep smiling 😊
