CUSTOMER
RELATIONS FOR ALL BUSINESSES
Succeeding with happy satisfied customers
Why Business Exist
The
customer is the sole reason for the existence of business. Without customers there
can be no sales and hence no business. The key to business prosperity is
satisfying customer needs.
Organizing Customer Relations
Customer
relations need to be organized and managed to make sure no
customer is neglected. Happy customers not only return for repeat business but
may become advocates and promoters of the business attracting new customers and
helping the sales to grow.
Nurturing Customers
Like
all relationships, the relationship with your customer needs to be nurtured and
maintained. A smart real estate agent for example may continue to keep in
contact with the home buyer. In the immediate and medium term the home buyer
may end up recommending more home buyers. In the long term the home buyer may
return to the real estate agent when it comes time to buy a bigger property or
even additional property.
Organizing Databases
Keeping
an organized and easily assessable database of all clients is critical to
maintaining good customer relations. This may be in paper or electronic format.
As part of a risk management strategy there should be a back-up data recovery
system that allows continual access in the event of an emergency arising such
as a natural disaster or electrical power failure.
A well-managed customer relations system can help
increase sales, increase referrals, and maintain long term relations with past
customers. This system contributes to reducing marketing cost and increasing sales.
Credit Profiling
Information
on the credit profile of established good customers can help in credit control
management and policies that support reaching out to good paying customers.
Well documented past sales experience can provide vital indicators in
identifying the market for your business.
Knowledge is Key
Customer
relations begin with getting to know your customer. This gives you the
knowledge of who buys from you, why do they buy from you and, how often do they
buy from you. The sales history allows you to identify buying trends. This can
help you to better serve the customer by being pro-active in contacting them
about new products or services offered.
Sustainability
Sustainable success in customer relations requires
building the relationship over the long term. The better you know your
customers the better you will be able to respond to their needs and changing
expectations. Just like all human relationships make sure you enjoy cultivating
and maintaining the relationships. This helps you to keep engaged over the long
term.
The slogan to practice is, “Keep the customer satisfied
and the proverbial cash till ringing!”
Winnipeg,
Manitoba, Canada
