Comments on: Dumb Things Small Businesses Do #4: Thinking It’s About You

By: Bill in Detroit

Bill in Detroit — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:56:08 +0000

This is the lesson pounded into me when I was training to become a Dominos Pizza manager. It turned a “foreign object in pizza” complaint by a woman into a job application by her daughter (and a VERY loyal customer in the Mom).

Later, when I got my own store, I received the 2nd highest award in my first month managing — despite having a driver mishandle a mystery customer.

When a customer makes a purchase, it is special to them … dinner, lingerie, electronic components, fresh produce – it makes no difference what it is … let them know that it is special to you, too.

They’ll be back.

By: Jeff Rogers

Jeff Rogers — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:12:39 +0000

We're all use to the poor customer service at Kentucky Fried Chicken and at Wal Mart. Don't you think that's one fundamental at the root of the problem? Self absorbed service providers should not attempt to provide services. Grrr.... Jeff Rogerss last blog post..Fundamentals of Powerful Business Networking

By: How To Fail Your Customer Relationships « Tim’s Blog

How To Fail Your Customer Relationships « Tim’s Blog — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 08:03:34 +0000

[...] about customers being treated like an inconvenience in a series she is putting together called “Dumb Things Small Businesses Do That You Can’t Afford”. This is another take on the above [...]

By: Frank Paolino

Frank Paolino — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:11:10 +0000

Sonia,
You ar exactly right. It’s all about the product and the customer’s use of it. A positive example is that I ordered a fitness product online, but I wanted to change my order. I called the number and talked to a VERY helpful man. It was the evening before Thansgiving, and he spent 10 minutes fixing my order. Finally, I said “You’ve been wonderful. Are you the owner”? He replied “yes”. I knew it. It’s all about the customer, always, or find some other line of work!

Here is a posting I made about Customer Support (relating to my software company)

By: SOB Business Cafe 11-14-08 - Liz Strauss at Successful Blog - Thinking, writing, business ideas . . . You’re only a stranger once.

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:54:15 +0000

[...] 7 Dumb Things Small Businesses Do That You Can’t Afford #4: Thinking It’s About You [...]

By: The Matrix Guide to Content Marketing | Copyblogger

The Matrix Guide to Content Marketing | Copyblogger — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:29:53 +0000

[...] Neo items are things you do well and that are important to your customers. (Not things that are important to you.) [...]

By: Kelly

Kelly — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 03:12:17 +0000

Sonia,

I love this post. I think it should be promoted from #4 to #1, because it’s really the thing I see small businesspeople struggling with most. Before “marketing” occurs to them, they’re already imagining how cool this new gig will be for them, without a thought as to whether they can make it cool for customers.

That tendency to focus inward never goes away. “It’s all about me” is something that you have to consciously fight against throughout the growth of your business.

Very well-said.

Regards,

Kelly

Kellys last blog post..Inspiration Points: And the Armor Weighs a Ton, Too…

By: J.D. Meier

J.D. Meier — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:53:27 +0000

From doormat to hero – I like it.

I find that “task-oriented” people tend to focus on the “thing” or the “features”, while “people-oriented” people tend to focus on mapping the benefits. I think it’s an easy blind-spot to fix by consistently asking yourself the WIIFY question.

J.D. Meiers last blog post..Design a Routine for Exceptional Thinking

By: Sonia Simone

Sonia Simone — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:11:25 +0000

Hm, how very odd, Comment Luv must be having something weird happen. I’ll see if I can edit it out, thanks for letting me know about it.

By: Miguel de Luis

Miguel de Luis — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 23:48:04 +0000

Err? something weird happened, that blog post in Polish? isn’t mine…