Customers are the lifeblood of your start-up business. So it's essential to keep them coming back time and again. Read Peter Switzer's advice on developing customer relationships by providing superior customer service. Learn how to build your business credibility, the importance of word-of-mouth, and how to get customer feedback to really understand the needs of your customers.
The views presented in these articles are not Optus' views. This article contains general information only and is not intended to be relied on as legal, financial or professional advice. Readers should seek their own advice based on their specific business needs.
At the heart of the truly memorable brands and business has been a unique marketing strategy that makes the operation stand out from the crowd. Seth Godin, the US marketing expert calls it a 'purple cow' strategy. Bing Lee is such a purple cow.
Your service attitude dictates the kind of service your customer receives from your business and your staff. Here, I'll share some questions I get from business owners when it comes to dealing with their customers.
We've all got stories to tell about terrible customer service we have experienced. In many cases, a little training would have gone a long way.
Pauline Hanson made the phrase 'please explain' famous and a few years back the Small Luxury Hotels of the World organisation wanted to make 'please complain' nearly as well-known.
As a customer, how would you like service tailored to suit you? Giving customers want they want is good, making it easy for customers to get what they want is great.
Is every customer precious - even the ones who give you grief? Every customer is right as long as they're the right customer...
Your staff are the face of your business, so it's important that they are familiar with the art of customer service.
Lately, I've been knocked out by exceptional service from good old Australian businesses, however, recently I was approached by an American who has started a business and is absolutely nonplussed at how crummy his team is at looking after customers.
What I am about to write affects everyone who walks into shops to buy things or employs service providers to complete tasks. And on the flip-side, this is also for those who are expected to deliver those goods and services.
Looking after your customers is crucial in encouraging them to return as well as recommend your business to others.
Building your brand into something recognisable is obviously one of the most important ways to market your business. But how do you go about doing it?
Bad customer service can have very negative implications for the future of your business.
One of the key ways to make your business grow is to have outstanding customer service. Here are a range of tips to make sure you and your staff are up to scratch:
When interstate recently, I booked a hotel that markets itself under the name of a group of international luxury hotels.
Making it easy for customers to buy from you or use your services is important and one way to do this is by creating systems.
Listening to your customers and understanding what they want is important when doing business. Here are some tips to closing the deal.
We all know the cliché, the customer is always right. But you mightn't be familiar with its addition: even when they are wrong. I can't honestly say that I believe this 100%.
When starting a business, it's important to show potential clients that you are going to provide the best service.
It's important to be well prepared before the holiday seasons arrive. The old Five Ps adage applies - perfect planning prevents poor performance.
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Most business owners need more time in their day. Here are a few timesaving techniques that will let you concentrate on growing your business.
During tough times, cutting back on certain parts of your business may be detrimental.
For the softies out there who are also ambitious: "Remember - there are times when saying 'no' is hard but necessary."
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