We know that customer experience is destined to overtake price and product as the key brand differentiator this decade. With that in mind, creating a grounded and stable customer experience should take precedence.
Earlier this year we decided – as a nation – to leave the EU.
The one common denominator amongst all voters is a feeling of being disenfranchised with the current status quo.
But whether it’s on a global scale, a national scale or a local neighbourhood scale, each voter had their own reasons for voting the way they did.
Make it known that you value your customer and their views, whatever they may be. Every customer is different to you.
We suggest there are a few things you should certainly NOT say to your customers:
1 ‘You ticked WHICH box??????’ Keep your views to yourself. Easiest way to lose customers is to vocalize a view that does not match theirs.
2 ‘I don’t care about YOUR situation; our industry is unique’ You do not stand alone and there will always be businesses in different situations to you. This is not the time to moan about how you may be more affected than most. There are winners and losers in every situation. Customers will be looking at how your handle your win or loss and what your strategies are going forward.
3 ‘Of course our pricing will change’ The UK is one of the largest and fastest growing economies in the world. This will not change overnight or this month or this year! Reassure your customer that nothing will change (even if you suspect you may have to make changes in the long-term, do not worry your customer needlessly).
4 ‘We’ve changed our warranty terms’ Any whiff of instability on your behalf will surely result in your customer seeking out other options. You should really be doing everything possible to make sure your customers feel secure and that their relationship with you is permanent and ongoing.
5 ‘I’m studying to become an immigration agent’ Even if you anticipate there will be a mass exodus to countries on distant continents, your customer will not thank you if you announce your intention to leave your current business and cash in on industries that may experience a boom. It is a pointless and futile exercise to predict worst case scenarios. Focus, instead, on opportunities that may be hidden within your own business
6 ‘We’re all doomed’ We know that approximately 70% of buying decisions are made based upon how a customer feels he or she is being treated (McKinsey). A depressed, financially insecure customer will not really be amenable to ‘the upsell’. There has never been a better time to make your customer feel loved.
This blog first appeared on the Shopper Anonymous website
Customer Services Week runs from October 3-7.