small business ideas

7 Ways of Getting Your Customers to Say 'Wow'!

Just imagine. You have walked out of a shop or put down the phone after purchasing something and your immediate reaction is 'Wow!' How do you feel? Excited; satisfied; fulfilled ... eager to return and buy again?

Wouldn't it be great if you could get your customers to feel the same way about dealing with you?

Lots of small business owners (and not so small!) seem to think that the customer is merely an interference. But how can you get your customers all pumped up and ready to do business with you again? I'll share some tips on exactly how you can get a 'Wow!' response and show how it can positively impact your bottom line.

Get promising

These days too many businesses seem reluctant to commit to anything. As a result, you walk away with a nagging doubt that nothing is going to happen and so the whole experience is not pleasant. What a refreshing change to get a business that provides a firm promise on dates and times or opening hours. Can you provide a clear promise to your customers? Have a think about each aspect of your business and highlight all your 'promisables' in your sales and marketing stuff. One great tip - under promise and over deliver. Promise delivery in 7 days, knowing you can do it in 3 days. When the goods arrived 4 days before expected, that's a 'Wow' factor if ever there was one!

Important point - if you can't deliver it, don't promise it!

Be a Tigger

Remember Tigger from Winnie the Pooh? He's all over the place; bouncing up and down with endless energy and enthusiasm. He just leaves his friends breathless! What a great person to be with and do business with. Are you enthusiastic when you speak and deal with your customers? Are your staff brimming with enthusiasm? If you can't project an image which says "I�m happy to be here", how can you expect your customers to feel different? So, have a Tigger day every day!

First impressions

If you have a shop or office where customers visit you, what do your premises say about your business? Is it modern, fresh-looking, clean and tidy? Or is it worn, tired and generally looking run down?  Like it or not, customers will judge you on what they see. They may say 'Wow' but for all the wrong reasons!

A pot of paint and a splash of colour can make all the difference and it doesn�t have to cost the earth (these DIY programmes have a lot to answer for!).

Be a problem solver

Despite all businesses believing they have great customer service, the fact is that the majority don't. The main reason is that when people complain, most feel that they have not been listened to and their problem has not been solved. Be a solver of problems - quickly and efficiently. A motto - 'Resolve to solve'.

Be their friend

I don't know about you, but I am a sucker for business owners who take their time to know me and recognise me when I next call or visit! The bond and the desire to do more business with those types of entrepreneurs, is strong for me. Do you take time to build a relationship with all your key clients? Do you go out of your way to greet them when they next do business? As the saying goes, aim to turn strangers into friends and friends in to customers.

Value for money

In this day and age of new technology, and the hefty prices that go with it, the concept of giving great value is sometimes forgotten. Creating a 'Wow' moment can be as simple as giving a little bit extra, something unexpected. It doesn't have to be of huge value, it's genuinely the thought that counts. However, don't restrict this idea just to price. Price on its own may not work, it has to be tied in with something else - 2 for 1, a small gift etc.

The quality of your product must also reflect value for money. Don't try and pass off an inferior product with a superior price - you'll again create the wrong type of 'Wow' moment! Medium price and great quality - a definite, positive 'Wow'.

Call them

The real killer 'Wow' is calling your customer a few days after he has bought. Asking him if the product is fine, whether it does what he wanted it to do, is one sure way of stopping him in his tracks! If everything is great, then you have a customer for life. If there is a problem, wonderful; you have the opportunity to put it right and ... have a customer for life. This is a very simple and powerful way of creating 'Wow'.

So that's it. If you follow theses simple ideas, all your customers will be saying 'Wow' and they will be coming back time and time again. Who knows, they may even tell their friends? Take some time to review these tips and see how you can apply them in your business.

                       
 
                  Loyalty - The Key to Business Success

                                  

Talk to many business people about how they approach customer service and the majority of them will say that they are aiming to have 'satisfied' customers. No! What we all should be seeking is to have loyal customers.

Research has shown that 65% of customers say they are loyal. You may be happy with this but you shouldn't! Satisfied customers are in a state of nothing - they are neither dissatisfied or happy; they are in between. They will tolerate you while you are of use to them but if a better deal comes along, they're off.

On the other hand, loyal customers are your friends. They will be with you through thick and thin; they will be the first to try out you new product; they willing give you honest feedback; they will regularly refer business to you. This is what you want! But how can you turn a satisfied customer into a loyal one?

Let Them Decide How to Do Business With You

Today customers are a lot more sophisticated in how they want to do business. If your product or service lends itself to be offered via a number of different means, then give your customer the option.

Can you deliver face-to-face? What about telephone services? Could you make use of SMS texts for quick notes and reminders? Do you have a web site through which customers can contact you or even make orders on-line? If you provide a variety of delivery channels which are available to suit the customer's needs then they are more likely to stay with you.

Build a Relationship

Loyalty can only be achieved if you have a true relationship with your customer. Aim to build rapport. Understand who are dealing with and understand what they are looking for. Keep in regular contact with them; you don't necessarily have to be selling something. Always use their names, especially their first name if you can.

All of this will help in building a long term relationship. Once you have this, they are less likely to walk away.

Generate Staff Loyalty

How can you cultivate a loyal customer if your staff are not loyal to the business? You must have staff who care for the job and will do anything to protect and move the business forward. Customers will be more loyal if they see familiar faces. A business with a high staff turnover will find it difficult to build a relationship with their customers.

Treat your staff well. Reward their successes and recognise their achievements. Hold regular training sessions so they feel that they are learning and developing. An established training programme will also make sure that their product knowledge is up to date.

Seek Out Complaints

This sound strange but the average customer has to be encouraged to complain! Many will keep quiet about poor service but if they can find someone else to do their business with, they will. Set up a clear complaints procedure so customers can complain if they wish. Provide staff with the tools to effectively deal with customer problems. Follow up all complaints to ensure that they have been resolved.

Take an Interest

Show your customers that you are interested in their views. Run regular surveys to find out what they think of your service, to find out what you can do differently. You can either carry out a survey over the telephone, or go as far as doing a mailing to all your customers.

Taking the trouble to contact your customers will reinforce the message that you want their custom. But don't forget - take action on what you find out!

Be a 'Can Do' Business

Customers like nothing better than a business which delivers on even the most difficult of requests. 'Can Do' businesses will always have loyal customers. Train your staff to never use words like, "Sorry but ...", "It�s not my fault", "It�s company policy".

Be a business where solutions are always looked for and problems seen as challenges.

Look After The Golden Customers

The old 80/20 is likely to apply to your business - 80% of your sales or profits are likely to come from just 20% of your customers. Work out who your top 20% is and love them to death! Why not concentrate on turning the remaining 80% into loyal customers? Well, the 20% have already shown that they trust and respect you. A little more effort with these customers will reap more business than concentrating on the 'maybe's'. By all means, run a programme to convert the 'maybe's' but put more effort into the converted.

So, there you have it. Some ideas and tips on how to build and keep loyal customers. Take a critical look at your business and put a loyalty building programme in place, which will boost sales and profits.

How to Buy a Franchise

If investing in an existing business does not suit you and starting your own line of enterprise also still does not sound good, then buying a franchise might just be your best option. Franchising has its own advantage and disadvantages, and it needs careful and thorough investigation before you raise the green flag. Ponder on the following guidelines if you plan to buy a franchise. Have a clear picture on what kind of enterprise you want to venture in. Something that suits your passion and interest would be a better choice.
Once you have decided, check what are the franchises available that relates to your field of expertise and make a list of it so you could narrow down our choices.
Make a comprehensive assessment of the list you have created. Scrutinize carefully each aspect of the business and ask the franchisor for a detailed information regarding the enterprise. It is better if you take down notes on the areas that you need further explanation. Do not hesitate to raise up your concerns and demand for concrete answers that are based on facts. Remember that the franchise owner would only highlight their business’ strengths and would hide their flaws as much as they can.
Reputation is one aspect that determines the success of the franchise. Normally, customers settle for something that has proven its worth rather than take the risk and try those with no names. However, you should focus on the financial condition. Conduct a meticulous research regarding the company’s financial status. A detailed and latest report of its past operations within three years would be better. Furthermore, ask for a concise representation on the company’s future plans to ensure the stability of the enterprise, despite the inevitable occurrence of unexpected consequences.
http://www.smallscalebusiness.com/

How to be a Weekend Entrepreneur

A weekend entrepreneur is basically someone who earns extra cash aside from his job by engaging into a money-making activity. Just like the rest of the entrepreneurs who wants nothing, but the assurance of a successful business, you should create an effective business strategy as well to ensure your business’ favorable outcome. You should have intensive comprehension on the essential keys that facilitate profit maximization while minimizing the risk of loss. Most weekend entrepreneurs sells craft related products and other artistry merchandise that is why it is important to be always updated on the upcoming craft exihibits and other relate bazaars in your area. Trade shows are perfect opportunity for higher sales as it attracts more people to participate in the said affair and this means greater possibility for a higher sales. However, your product should be competitive enough regarding of quality and most especially the price, so that you will stand out among the rest of your competitors and to draw more attention of potential customers as well.
Aside from these trade shows, weekend entrepreneurs can also take advantage of a specialty vendor cart. Most shopping centers offer carts that are for rent in short periods. Aside from the convenience, rented carts also come in cheap and this just means that weekend entrepereneurs can maximize their profit. Apart from the possible approaches mentioned above, these businessmen can also display and sell their products in associated events such as auctions, county bazaars, craft malls, gift shows, carnivals and swap meets, night markets and ohter charitable events that they can relate their products with.
The very first thing you need to do before you engage in this kind of business is to have a concrete plan on what to sell. Start by visiting ongoing bazaars and check the flow of the market as well as the demands of the customers. Investigate on what the customers want and what age groups are usually attending whether they are mostly women or men, professionals or mothers, senior citizens or kids. This will give you an idea on how to promote your product and gain that edge among your competitors.
http://www.smallscalebusiness.com/