7 Great Ways To Wow Your Customers
Lovely, unique & memorable ways to ensure your customers keep coming back.
Lovely, unique & memorable ways to ensure your customers keep coming back.
Excellent customer service is a strange term in many local businesses in Nigeria. Many business owners have not come to the understanding that the only reason they have a job in the first place is because of their customers. Exchange of verbal & physical combos between both parties is commonplace in the business world of Nigeria.
I once dropped a bottle of coke in a restaurant. As the bottle shattered and spilled its content right in front of me, I could feel the angry stare of the waitress slashing my neck through the jugular. A few minutes later, she walked into the restaurant’s store room and returned with a broom & parker to clear my mess. I was wrong. She dropped the broom & parker by my side and said, “when you are done, the bottle is 50 Naira”. A thousand thoughts raced through my mind. The mildest of which was to hang the waitress.
This resource features insights on how to make your customer service stand out of the crowd. Unlike the excerpt from my friends narrative above, you will discover in this post, 7 great ways to wow your customers. Don’t ever forget that the customer is always right. Join me on this beautiful adventure.
I never forget to receive my share of the “ Thank you for banking with Us” at the security post of Access Bank. I always expect it. I always wait for it. I always get it. I used to have a lot of issues with my bank. They were slow, deducted my money anyhow & a whole bunch of complaints. Suddenly, I was there one Monday, and I was welcomed by the gatemen at his post, the security man at the door and the cashier at the desk. “Welcome to Access Bank”. That was the turning point for me. It’s either they stopped giving me those initial problems or I simply didn’t care again. That is the culture of business that should be embraced. What’s the lesson? Learn to welcome your customers to your company (using your company name. e.g. Welcome to “Kingsplace”) and remember to say a big
“Thank you” when they are living.
You are probably right, no time for any of these. Unfortunately, there is another business owner who’s got the time. That is, my dry cleaner. Yes, my dry cleaner sends notes, jokes, thank you messages and service change notification to my phone. In these times of BBM, Whatsapp, Facebook and the likes, you can communicate with your customers at almost no cost. You can give it a try and check out if they return to your business. While at it, go old school. Give a hand written note that says thank you or even a greetings card. That customer will surely not come alone at the next visit.
I don’t mean a suggestion box hanging on the wall and no one uses. Walk to your customer at a convenient time. Exchange pleasantries all over again. Then pop the question. Many customers won’t even have an answer. Some will just smile and keep smiling. But guess what, you just left your mark. However, expect an answer. That’s better for business. You learn. Make sure you listen without interruptions. Most importantly, when the change is effected, inform your customer of the implementation with a thank you attitude.
This is specially for businesses where customers have to stand in line & wait for their turn. What your customers do while waiting is essential to how you will be remembered. As an example, if you run an hairdresser salon, celebrity & style magazines should be all over the place. A good music in the background isn’t bad too. When customers are bored while waiting, they tend to fix another appointment. The problem is simple: some never return. Install a television set when you can, play music, & offer them clean water when you can. In business, not everything is for sale. You don’t have to sell that cold pure water as well. Gift it out to thirsty customers while the wait for you. That is how to get remembered.
Smile or frown as much as you like. You heard me rightly. Offer free bonuses or discounts just because they are your loyal customers. Customers love the red carpet treatment. Loyal customers love it even more. The element of surprise is mighty. You can make a list of your most loyal customers and surprise them with a free package or discount when applicable. Obviously, it should not hurt your business, but make it memorable.
A happy birthday message from you to your customer may be worth more than many words. Make your customers feel like they are part of one big family. It could be a special christian or muslim holiday; the birth of a new baby or admission into higher institution. Your customer will surely remember this thoughtfulness and it won’t soon be forgotten.
This is simply class and not for the faint hearted. A good shirt, bag, mug, pen, handband, etc thats got your business logo or name is more than just a gift item. It’s also a means of publicity. More than that, it generates warmth in the heart of the recipient and the news of you care may just spread to the ends of the world.
Customer satisfaction is hard work and it sometimes carry some huge financial implications. The best approach is to start little but consistently. At the end, your business growth will pay for the high budget demands. Go wow your customers!
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