Make Your Mark: 6 Ways to Demonstrate Customer Care

Do you remember Circuit City?? Probably not.? Unless you stopped buying electronics in 2009 when the company turned off its lights for the last time.?

The former electronics giant replaced 3,400 experienced salespeople with 2,100 lower-paid hourly workers to reduce operating expenses.? Predictably, customer complaints skyrocketed – and Circuit City had their operations reduced to nothing.??

Ready to learn from this modern parable?? Let’s put a customer-first mindset to work for you!?

1. Cultivate A Culture Of Caring Among Your Team members

Peter Drucker famously said, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”? If you want your customers to be well cared for, you must build a team that feels well cared for.???

Authentically caring for people builds trust and respect.? It creates a culture where people can safely communicate transparently.? When your team works in this culture, then caring for customers will come naturally. ? ?

2. Embrace a Customer-First Mindset?

Great work with a poor attitude is replaceable.? But great work with great customer experience leaves a lasting impression.? Anyone can provide a service.?

Invest your time and resources in special ways to help customers grow.? Study industry trends and norms to see how you can differentiate your brand to serve your customers in ways others don’t.???

3. Listen Well to Put Customers First

Position yourself as a learner in the business relationship.? Just like you are an expert in your field, respect that your clients are experts in theirs.??

Not only do they have a better understanding of their industry than you do, but they embrace the vision and values of their company in a way you can’t.??

Their challenges are now your challenges. Gary Vaynerchuk said it well: "The best marketing strategy?ever: care."

4.?Encourage Healthy Feedback and Own Your Mistakes

You may be an expert, but that doesn’t make you perfect. ? And you can get better.? When mistakes are inevitably made, just own it.? Don’t make excuses or offer justifications.??

Your clients will feel your respect and care for them when you are willing to own your mistakes without shifting responsibility.??

5. Exemplify Customer Care by Being Responsive and Accessible

Many companies lose business because they don’t reply to clients – or potential clients – within a reasonable timeframe.??

Most companies understand that they are not your only client.? They know you have other obligations and responsibilities and typically don’t expect an immediate response.? Unless they are in a crisis.??

However, communication and accessibility are essential for every relationship, including business relationships.?

6. Show Customer Loyalty by Putting them First in Real Life

Customers will know you care about them and their success when you go out of your way to demonstrate gratitude and support.? Consider taking the following steps to let your clients know you care about them.??

• Communicate gratitude in meetings and through electronic communication?
• Send thank you cards?
• Give meaningful gifts?
• Support clients online?
• Purchase their services/products?

Create a Customer First Business Strategy Today!?

The importance of customer service has never been more urgent.? With the dawn of the AI revolution, human connection, empathy, and partnership can differentiate you from the crowd.?

Don't undervalue the importance of the customer's experience with your business. A customer-first mindset has always been foundational for a successful business.

Check out the full article at JS-Interactive to learn more.