Improving Your Business: 13 Proven Tips To Retain Your Customers

                               

#Business

“I was gradually losing everything I had worked for and my customers were running away from me before I discovered something was wrong. At a point I believed it was necessary to find out what really happened and I eventually discovered I had caused the greatest problems for myself because I never knew how to treat my customers. 

I was completely ignorant of the system. I mean what they really wanted and before I could do anything to save the situation, I realized I had lost the battle,” says Alhaji Ibrahim Badmus, the former CEO of LEYICOOL Nigeria Limited.

It is very expedient to know and avoid the grave mistakes that might jeopardize the efforts you are making to win the interest of your customers. If you do the right thing the customers will flow in, if not the reverse will be the case.

But what would you do to keep your customers? From my own research, am going to share with you the experiences from the entrepreneurs and expertson how to improve business using these proven tips to make and retain your customers. Just relax and continue to read this post.

HAVE SPECIAL RULES

Many business owners transact business with their customers without specific rules that guide the whole operations. Asa Leader of your company, you can set up company’s policies and procedures then you educate the customers on such polices. Through this, you can avoid any conflict that may arise because the customers have been briefed on such policies.

LISTEN AND GIVE DIRECT ANSWER

A good listener is one who gives correct answers to a question. It is possible to hear your customers complaining of one thing just because he needs an answer because he does not want to keep complaining. You should allow your customers to make their complaints, listen clearly and reply intelligently.

Complaint is to make a change. Find out the cause of a problem, what is responsible and provide solution to make a change. Cultivate the habit of listening to push out better solutions.

FAIR TREATMENT  

All customers need equal treatment. To avoid unnecessary conflict, all customers must be treated in the same manner. Don’t allow customer “A” feels cheated or not receiving the same treatment given to customer “B”.

 If customers “A” finds out you are not giving him the treatment he deserves, he may disrupt the existing relationship and may go out and tell others the preferential treatment and this havoc goes a long way to affect your business.

REDUCE YOUR VOICE

It is always good to hear an entrepreneur voice lower when talking to his or her customers especially when there is a conflict. But many entrepreneurs cannot hold their anger when the customer is upset.

Experts warn that you should shout at your customers, control your temper to control your business anger – have it in your mind that your customer is always right.

BE HONEST

Don’t lie to impress your customers. Don’t promise what you cannot do. Remember, if you promise your customer what you can’t do, it reduces the confidence he or she has in you and this may reduce the relationship that exists between you and your customer. Don’t tell lie because you want to sustain the interest of your customers.

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

Every customer will be happy receiving the quality goods and services he paid for and not too glad to receive less than what he requires. Experts advise business owners must endeavour on a continuous basis to satisfy their customers. From time to time, you should try to find out the needs of customers and reflect them when they change.

The customer occupies a critical position in the life of any organization because the continuity of that organization depends on the regular patronage of the customers, so their satisfaction must not be tampered with.

BE PRECISE

Do exactly what your customers want, don’t try to impress him or her by doing more than requested. Some customers dislike the idea of being too forward while they lie to discourage the fact of having what they don’t deserve or ask for.

As an entrepreneur trying to add more to your service when peace does not reign may be at your own disadvantage.

BE POSITIVE

Regardless of how a conflict is settled, do whatever is at your disposal to end the problem on a positive note to leave your customer out of doubt. Always try not to eave ant stone unturned.

GIVE QUALITY PRODUCTS / SERVICES

Customers would not accept anything less than quality products and service from you. The best way to destroy your business is by giving out poor services to your customers. The best way to keep your business is to give the best services or products you can. This is the first thing your customers need before any other things.

BE FRIENDLY

Always tell your customers you are happy through your appearance, look, smiles, and making hospitable comments to tell them their presence are needed and important.

FEEL CONCERN

Show a great deal of concern for every mistake and strive to make a change.

SHOW SENSE OF APPRECIATION

One other habit common to entrepreneur is not appreciating the presence of their customers. They think their customers buys things from them because they are best in town, but there many people who sell the same quality of products you are offering.

It is important to thank your customers for patronizing you to give him the impression that you appreciate his presence. This will bring him back when he needs your products. The act of not appreciating the customer’s presence can drive him elsewhere, that he can be appreciated.

BE CONSIDERATE

Make sure while selling your products, ensure that you sell at a price that favours you and your customers. Every customer wants to buy at a lowest price while a reasonable seller will not sell below the cost price.

The customers must be informed if you want to increase the price or there is need to increase the price based on cost. But it would be economic suicide for an entrepreneur to sell his products at a cost price or below it.