Love Your Customers, Like Your Spouse! How?

Before I start this article I feel it's only appropriate to say that I have been happily married in the past couple of years and thus have never been divorced. So perhaps I'm not best placed to use it as an analogy, but I'm going to anyway; because it explains the message I want to share.?

We all know what we're like at the start of a new relationship, 1 word: effort! We dress well, show good manners & in general show our best side. You're doing all the right things! Time passes, and you're married and committed to the relationship. Then what happens???

The courtship is over!?

You start getting sloppy, ignoring good manners and suddenly, you're doing all the wrong things. You don't listen like you did and you don’t act upon what you do hear.?

Why??

Because what's the point in putting in the effort like you used to? You've been together for a while now, they're yours! Well... The Indian divorce rate increasing rapidly, The UK divorce rate sits at 42% and the US sees stats very similar. So, when you felt safe with them, that you could relax and not keep up that 'A game', what happened? Ultimately, that's it, can you do anything to repair things? Maybe if it was before, but now. The relationship is unrepairable.?

Now let's flip that. Let's look at you as your business, your partner as your client and the marriage as your relationship. Everyone wants customers for life, and some see that as a reality. Some customer relationships end before they've really started and some last a while but eventually break down.? ?

So, how can we stop divorcing our customers???

1)?Pay close attention to your customers.?I mean truly listen to them. Understand their needs, their vision, and make it your top priority. If they encounter challenges, take note. In fact that brings me nicely to my 2nd point.?

2)?Get feedback.?Take feedback properly to another level, actively go out and ask genuine questions. And whilst it's great to hear that you're doing a good job, the real feedback you want is the criticism. Nowadays, we are calling our clients asking how they are finding Our Developing services, campaigns, if they have any questions and most importantly, encouraging them to give us negative feedback for us to work on.??

One of the most important things here is to make sure you have a relationship with clients in which they feel comfortable coming to you and saying they’re not happy with something. And that is of course two ways;?

This of course varies massively from business to business, but try it! Pick up the phone or schedule a meeting with your regular clients and ask how you’re doing!?

I said above marriage isn't something I am exactly well versed in, but I think I can speak a little more confidently about customer service.?

3)?Own your mistakes!?This can be a hard one, but excuses aren't the best way to go. If we make mistakes, we need to own it. Own it then do everything to make it right.?

And the last point??

It’s that age-old expression?

4)?Under promise, over deliver!?If that isn't your mentality with clients and relationships as a whole, I think you're doing it wrong. Your aim should always be to do your best, whether it is at the start of the relationship, a year into it, or down the line, never forget to go the extra mile.?

Let’s remember something.?Ending a Marriage Comes at a Price!?Think of all those unnecessary marketing costs to find another spouse! No one wants to end up with the relationship breaking down and the parties going their separate ways. So pull your finger out, and stay in that marriage.. I mean, retain those customers! Gosh, even writing this I'm getting lost!?

Are you doing all you can to avoid business divorce??