The "Dad" Button

Years ago, we had a home phone with answering machine and speed dial buttons. We set up speed dial buttons for important numbers, including 911 and “DAD” , and trained our young children on what these buttons were and when to use them.

One day while I was folding laundry, the phone rang. Our 4-year old daughter, Shellie, ran to the phone to answer it. I waited for the familiar, “Mom, it’s for you” but apparently the caller was asking for my husband. Here’s how the conversation went:

Shellie: Dad’s out in the field.

Caller: Does he have a cell phone?

Shellie: Yes.

Caller: What is his number?

Shellie: I don’t know.

Caller: Can you ask someone?

She paused for a moment, looking down at our phone and then responded…

Shellie: Just push the “dad” button on your phone!

Caller: A few seconds later he must have realized what the “dad” button was. He laughed and said he’d call back later.

Shellie knew that if she needed her dad, all she had to do was hit the “dad” button and he would be there for her. She didn’t need to worry about memorizing the number because he had made it easy for her to reach out.

How can this relate to your business?

• Do you have someone you can easily reach out to when you need help? Is that person or group of people on “speed dial” and respond when you call? (Your “dad” button)
• Have you created a relationship with your past, current, and future clients that has them creating a “speed dial” button with your name on number on it to call when they need answers and help right away? Do you respond when they call just like Shellie’s dad did?

Consumers have many choices in our global and information-rich environment. When you set up your business in a way that makes customers and prospects feel important as people – not just a sale – you will be the first one they reach out to when they need help in your area of expertise. Guide and teach them how to set you up as their “dad” button. When they do call, make sure you let them know how glad you are that they did.

Warmly,

Sue