by Donna Cutting
If Johnny Depp walked into your workplace today, how would you behave?
If you’re like most people, you’d drop whatever you were doing and
approach him, smiling, ready and eager to serve him. If Halle Berry
walked into your restaurant, you’d immediately escort her to the best
seat in the house. If Tom Hanks was on the phone asking questions, you’d
do whatever you could to get him his answers… cheerfully… right?
What about the rest of your customers? Perhaps you’re thinking, “Of course, we’d treat them exactly the same
way!” Maybe. In general, though, customer service has become a “buzz
phrase” that is rarely lived up to. A study done by Connell and
Associates (2004) found that 45% of all respondents felt that most
companies simply do not provide good customer service. In a Harris
Interactive Study 80% of respondents stated they had made the decision
never to do business with a company again because of bad customer
service.
How can you – the business owner or service professional – turn this trend around? By treating your customers like stars!
As Garrett Richter, president and CEO of the First National Bank of
Florida, tells his employees, “If we roll out the red carpet for
billionaires, they won’t even notice it. If we roll out the red carpet
for millionaires, they expect it. If we roll out the red carpet for
thousandaires, they appreciate it. And if we roll out the red carpet for
hundredaires, they tell everybody they know.”
To this point, the same Harris Interactive Study found that 60% of
respondents said the main reason they would recommend a company is
outstanding customer service.
Here are the six secrets from the world of celebrity that will get your customers buzzing about you.
- Give Them a Red Carpet Arrival. When
a celebrity arrives for a movie premiere or a charity function, it’s a
big deal! There’s a red carpet. There are photographers. There are
hundreds of fans lined up, shouting their name and begging for a chance
to spend even two seconds with the star. When the rest of us arrive at a
place of business, we’re lucky if we can even get someone to
acknowledge us. Treat your customers like stars by showing them you’re
glad they came. Look up, smile, walk out from behind the counter and
greet them. Most people don’t need a fancy carpet or paparazzi – just
eye contact is enough!
- Call Them By Name. Motivational
guru and author Dale Carnegie said that when you remember someone’s
name you “make them feel important.” Remember your customer’s name and
use it each time you see them. Make it a top priority, and you’ll find
remembering names easier than you think. You can also find unique ways
of using someone’s name. For instance, High Point University welcomes
all expected guests with their own parking space designated by a sign
bearing… you guess it… their name. Some restaurants name dishes after
famous people. What if you named some of your products after your best
customers? Now that’s the star treatment.
- Remember and Refer. Aside
from their name, remember other details about your customers as well
and refer to them. When one grocery store manager recalled that the
“grumpy lady who comes in on Wednesdays” had been to Chicago to visit
her daughter, he asked her about the trip… and made her day! Now, that
once grumpy customer seeks the man out with a smile on her face whenever
she comes into the store. It doesn’t take much to make ordinary people
feel special. Just pay attention.
- Cater to Their Personal Preferences.
While your customer may not be as picky as the celebrity who wants all
the brown M&M’s taken out of his candy dish, everyone has their
likes and dislikes. Surprise your customer in little ways and let them
know you are paying attention. In his former career as a banker, Author
and Speaker Dave Timmons earned the business of a prospect after he
tossed him two baseballs signed by the members of his grandsons’
favorite sports team. One hotel dining room supervisor heard a guest say
that she enjoyed blood oranges, so he secretly had a few brought up to
her room. Delight people in this way and you and your business become
unforgettable.
- Give Them SWAG!
At every awards show celebrities walk away with gift bags filled with
products and paraphernalia worth thousands. There is a reason why people
line up – and even pay good money – to give their goods away to
celebrities via the swag bag. When the superstar wears or uses their
product, it creates buzz. When Katrina Campins, star of the first season
of The Apprentice wore a watch on the show that was give to her
by Jacob the Jeweler, she was swamped with calls from men wanting to
buy one for their wives. While your customers may not have the platform
that Katrina had to show off your product, when you give them something
for free they will talk about it. Just watch how much press Ben &
Jerry’s gets next time they hold a “Free Cone Day.” What kind of swag
can you give your customers to get them talking about you?
- Be Extraordinary… And Then Some. Make a commitment to be remarkable in every way that you serve your customer. Be the first one to respond. Have the widest smile in the room. Call everyone by name. Constantly be on the lookout for little ways that you can make your customer feel like the most important person in the world. When you do, you will find yourself not only with a customer for life, but with a raving fan that will go out and spread the word about their incredible celebrity experience.
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