It is often said that no one idea is truly original. Over the course of an average lifetime, most people will have to face the prospect of sharing an opinion, viewpoint or aspiration with someone else on more than a couple of occasions. What makes one company succeed while another fails, even though they both might’ve set out with a similar intention? Here I’ll expand upon what I believe to be the 5 key requirements of any company that wishes to excel at whatever it is they do. Read on if you’d like to put a little bit of distance between yourself and the possibility of failure:
Customer Service:
First up is Customer Service. It is obvious that customers are to the company what oxygen is to the human body. Deprived of their support, your business suffocates. Having an avenue for communication between your customers and you is essential if you wish to succeed in the fast-paced corporate world. Ensuring that your business is accessible via phone should a customer have any queries or complaints, or an online chat portal, through which, people can get, at least, some assistance outside of working hours, will go a long way to making you the preferred choice of any potential customer. Good customer service vastly improves customer retention, and customer retention = increased sales.
Relationship Building:
Next up is Relationship Building. In business, as in life, trust is built and loyalty is earned. A potential customer will be far more responsive to and supportive of the company that they feel has treated them with the greatest degree of urgency and care. A proactive approach to dealing with the queries and complaints of your customers will create a sense of dependability on the part of the client, as they know they can rely on you. People buy from people they like. Optimise the relatability of your brand.
Following Up On Leads:
A world of interest does not matter without conversion. Many ideas were loved in the playground, but only a few those will ever be discussed in the boardroom. Having a team dedicated to following up on any interest shown by a potential customer, can greatly increase your chances of success as it shows the customer that your interest in them is genuine – you’ve taken the time out your day to attend to their interest, as you promised you would – good rapport is built instantly. It also helps to prevent any potential customers from slipping through the cracks – perhaps they’ve forgotten about that great deal you are offering. It is said that 60% of customers say no four times before saying yes and almost 50% of salespeople never even make a single follow up attempt. Follow up is KEY.
Reaching Out To Past Customers For Repeat Business:
No one’s favourite restaurant is a place they’ve been to just once, otherwise it wouldn’t be their favourite right? The same logic could be applied to virtually any company. Repeat business is essential to the long-term survival of any business. Everyone loves a bit of convenience; customers love a company they can depend on, and companies love a customer they can depend upon too. Having a team, whether internal or outsourced, dedicated to checking in on past customers and trying to turn them into repeat customers, can save a company a lot of marketing hassle and provide a greater sense of assurance during times of economic unpredictability.
Here are some interesting statistics:
The probability of selling to an existing customer is estimated between 60% and 70%.
The probability of selling to a new customer is only between 5% to 20%.
Existing customers have shown to be 50% more likely to try your business’s new product.
Outsourcing To Experts:
Limitations must be acknowledged before they can be conquered. Your expertise will seldom span the entire spectrum of what your success requires. There is absolutely nothing wrong with collaboration that benefits both you and your co-collaborator. Everyone wins in the end. Ensure that those you collaborate with are of the right competence.
In summary, to SUCCEED, a business must value and plan for proactive, accessible, frequent, quality communication with customers and leads.
Outsourced services such as Turn Key Receptionist can provide the additional team to scale your business and reduce your human resources outlays.
