Do You Have A Customer Appreciation Plan?
Keywords: referrals, marketing, sales, service, customer, cards, appreciation, follow-up, small business, advertising
Think about the many products and services that you purchased during the past twenty or thirty days. Of all of the companies that you did business with, exactly how many told you in one way or another how very much they appreciated your patronage? One? Three? Five? Ten? More often than not, I am afraid that the answer will be none!
The next time you are standing in the check-out line of your favorite store with several people in front of you, count how many times the customers actually thank the employees for the products that they just bought. Do you realize that customers do that? Isn’t that backwards? The employee should be the one thanking the customer for his or her business.
Many times companies do not make it clear to their employees how very important each and every customer is to the business. Not only that, training is not given in regard to employee-customer relationships. Therefore, many employees lack the necessary skills that are needed to express their appreciation to the customer.
Many companies do not give much attention to customer appreciation. They can ill afford this if they want their business to grow. Not many years ago business was great so the emphasis on customer appreciation was not needed. Times have indeed changed! Now consumers are spending less money. It only seems right that in today’s society customer appreciation should be a top priority. Here are a few tips to get you headed in the right direction:
Each member of your staff should understand the true worth of the customer. What is the customer worth in monetary terms? If your employees understand that customers mean more money, then they will readily express their appreciation. Most people understand that it takes more money to find a new customer than it does to hold on to an existing one. Your employees should be educated about the dollar value to the existing customers but also in trying to find new customers.
Outline in writing your expectations of what you want to happen with customer interactions. What exactly do your employees have to do in order to achieve a level of appreciation with each customer that meets your satisfaction? An example of a proactive expression of customer appreciation could be a simple and pleasant “hello”. No matter how you conduct your business, that is, face-to-face, over the telephone or by way of the Internet, each customer should feel valued by your company. If you are not striving for consistent customer appreciation, you could lose a valuable customer!
Since showing appreciation is a skill that is learned, you should empower your employees with the necessary skills to do the job. Not only do these skills need to be taught, but they need to be reinforced many times before it becomes a habit. It would be a good idea to hire a mystery shopping company in order to check for the skills of customer appreciation. A recognition program should be set up to reward those employees who meet the company’s expectations. This is a small price to pay in order to ensure that you have loyal customers!
It would be wise to create a customer appreciation plan. Just as you have a business plan to keep your business headed in the proper direction, so you should also have a marketing plan to help increase sales as well as attract new customers. It would be a good idea to have a customer appreciation plan in place in order to reward the loyal customers who do business with you. This plan should be designed to recognize and reward loyal customers. Put a frequent buyer program in place and hold customer appreciation events. Remember that customer appreciation is not just a one-time thing. Showing your customers how much you care will ensure their loyalty to your business.
Another good idea is to appoint a customer appreciation ambassador. Choose an employee who really cares about people, one who understands the true value of a customer and who comes across with an attitude that is helpful and caring toward your clients. They should understand that appreciation shown toward customers is a priority.
All of us like to be appreciated. If you want to have a loyal customer base, then it is of the utmost importance to show appreciation to your customers. The life blood of your business is getting customers and holding on to them. Make sure you do not lose another single customer because the customer thinks you do not care. Tell them each day that they are cared about and appreciated. They just may keep coming back to do business with you!
Ken Harrington is an expert in the field of Referral Marketing, helping businesses grow beyond what they previously thought was possible. Visit www.FirstUpMarketing.com to find out more.
Previous Articles Highlighter:
Become A Walking Talking Advertisement (1)
And what if a program existed that would automatically follow up with every single customer you had. And what if that program could guarantee your customers satisfaction with you and your business.
Business Thank You Cards (2)
You should thank the customer for the chance to address the problem that had the complaint. By doing this, future business may be salvaged. Ken Harrington is an expert in the field of Referral Marketing, helping businesses grow beyond what they previously thought was possible.
Bad Credit Personal Loans (3)
Never hear of it! Do not worry, we will tell all about credit history personal loans. A bad credit personal loan is like any other personal loan that one might have availed of in the past.
For The Love Of Jewelry (4)
Depending on the purpose of the proposed jewelry piece, you may choose to shop at a department store, a retail store, or a specialty shop. All of these establishments have their advantages with the major difference being the target audience reached.
Making Money By Starting A Home Based Internet Business (5)
Too often those interested in exploring or starting home based internet business opportunities erroneously believe that it will take several thousands of dollars to get started. This is not the case!
Women Traveling Alone. Why Not? (6)
The first was personal freedom and the second, independence. The simple pleasures of YOU deciding where to go, where to eat and where to shop, cannot be beaten. If you want to stop for a while to watch the setting sun change the snow on the Matterhorn from white to gold, you do!
Is Andrew Flintoff The Worlds Worst Number 6 (7)
Ex England players, respected media men and the ordinary cricket supporter in the street have voiced there own opinion on why the Australian outfit thrashed a sorry looking England team.
Audio Books - The Unfair Advantage (8)
Now, I can proudly say I also benefit from the reading of up to 50 books each year. Still don't think it's possible? Fine, let's do the math: For an audio book that takes 4 hours, you can have it read to you in just two days - 1 hour each day while preparing for work in the morning and 1 hour each day while commuting to and from work.
Which Is Best - Audio Tape, CD Or Audio Download? (9)
Things are changing though. With the development of compact playes such as iPods and MP3 players, it's little wonder that downloadable audio books are fast outpacing the traditional audio tape or CD as the preferred medium.
Top Tips For Choosing The Right Treadmill (10)
Basically the two exercise machines have different goals: while the treadmill will help you work out your lower body (legs, buttocks, lombars, abs) and will focus on getting rid of the extra fat, the elliptical works your entire body and better tonifies your muscles.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
Don't Fail To Plan-Plan For Success (1)
If you can buy a domain name that has been around for a while, at a reasonable price, that would be a good option. There is the theory, and with some substantial insight, that domain names with a little age are a big advantage with the search engines.
How To Keep Your Golfing Scores Low The Right Way (2)
To get into tempo with your rhythm is to practice, one good way to practice this would be with a metronome, you place this device on the tee, and this is so you can time your stroke with the clocking sounding metronome.
Tips On Improving Your Golfing Mental Game (3)
You may need help in focusing. There are books, video and audio aids to help. Concentration is necessary for a great golf game. Make mental notes or write them down, but take notice what you are doing before you take the shot, then note how the shot played out.
Accessorize Your Kitchen (4)
Don't be afraid to hang plants from any bare ceiling corner to give a lived in feeling to a plain kitchen. Growing herbs in a decorative container on the windowsill can be a great way to add interest and improve your cooking.
Spy Bugs To Listen In (5)
These keep the cameras from overheating during the summer and protect them from the bitter cold during the winter. Private Investigator Site is an informative resources site about everything Private Investigator related.
Use Private Label Contents To Create Audio E-books (6)
In these times, the possibilities are endless. Dan Farrell is offering a 7 Free Marketing Videos and An Ecourse, "How To Make Money Online" by David Valliere's. To start your subscription, go to: www.buildonlinefortunes.com
Set Your Book Up To Succeed With A Marketing Plan, P1 (7)
No I'm not suggesting you become a politician but I am saying you must get involved in your book's promotion. After all, you are the one that cares the most for your project.
You CAN Make Money Selling Affiliate Products (8)
Say weight loss. But it's very crowded you say? Right, that means it also is very lucrative. People don't spend time and money on a market that isn't returning a healthy profit.
The Best Way To Choose A Residual Income Program (9)
Selling is all about appealing to a person's emotions. They try to get a person to feel passionate about what they do, so they will buy into it. That is why many people choose a residual income program that is not for them.
An Alternative Residual Income Opportunity To MLM That Still Produces (10)
All the author did was spend the initial time writing it and now it will earn them money again and again. E-books are a fun alternative to other residual income home business opportunities, like an MLM.