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     Customer service today is getting worse. Win customers over and you build   your business for life. Proven by the leader in the industry -- Nordstrom's.   Nordstrom's customer service keeps improving and they continue to drive others   out of business because of it. Here are six ways you can thrill customers and   snatch a larger market share from your competitors. 
     
    ...Offer to do an   extraordinary favor 
     
    Here's an example of what I mean: A customer of a   moving firm wanted to ship a kitchen table and chairs set to his son in a city   300 miles away. But the moving firm had a hefty weight requirement and a high   minimum fee. The firm's manager said he made regular trips to that city. So he   offered--at no cost--to load the set in his station wagon and deliver it on his   next trip. 
     
    ...Under promise, over deliver 
     
    A well-known air freight   company promises to deliver a package by 10 am the next morning--but often   delivers by 9 or 9:30 am. A local printing company always finishes the job   before the due date. These are companies customers can count on. 
     
    ...Give   them a benefit they don't know exists 
     
    If your business offers coupons for   certain items, discount those items for those purchases even if customers don't   have the coupons. 
     
    ...Put concern above profit 
     
    Only offer customers   items they can use. Don't sell them higher-priced products just to make a big   sale. You'll win the loyalty of customers if you look out for their best   interest. 
     
    ...Follow up after the sale 
     
    The most successful   salespeople follow up regularly at scheduled times--not when they have a spare   moment. Help yourself follow up by keeping a log of commitments made and when   you promised to keep them. 
     
    ...Comfort customers in time of   need 
     
    Let's discuss this with an example. If a customer's air conditioning   unit blinked out on the hottest Saturday of the year. Have a backup plan for   these type of emergencies. People never forget it when you ease their comfort   and will become your biggest raving fan. Return their call no matter how busy   you are or have a plan on how to handle these calls. Work later than normal or   have someone part-time and on-call. Talk with them on how you can ease their   comfort until you can make it there. Ask if they would like to go to the mall or   a movie where it is air conditioned and you will call them when you arrive. It   doesn't matter if you are in the air conditioning and heating business or you're   a consultant, think of ways you can ease customer's comfort. And don't forget to   advertise that as well. 
   
   
  About   the Author: 
       
    Catherine Franz is a Life and Business Coach and Master   Practitioner in the Laws of Attraction. Catherine guides others in finding the   light of their own existence and walking an attractive truth in their own lives. http://www.abundancecenter.com http://abundance.blogs.com  |