Core Business Solutions Advice

As the Holiday Shopping Season has begun I thought it would be a good time to share some thoughts about Customer Loyalty. We all know that keeping one customer is so less expensive than acquiring a new customer. So here are some ideas to help you retain your current customers.

6. Communicate. Whether it is an email newsletter, monthly flier, a reminder card for a tune up, or a holiday greeting card, reach out to your steady customers and do it often.
7. Customer Service. Go the extra distance and meet customer needs. Train the staff to do the same. Customers remember being treated well. It's about customer satisfaction, that's what brings people back to you.
8. Employee Loyalty. Loyalty works from the top down. If you are loyal to your employees, they will feel positively about their jobs and pass that loyalty along to your customers.
9. Employee Training. Train employees in the manner that you want them to interact with customers. Empower employees to make decisions that benefit the customer.
10. Customer Incentives. Give customers a reason to return to your business. For instance, because children outgrow shoes quickly, the owner of a children’s shoe store might offer a card that makes the tenth pair of shoes half price. Or install a customer loyalty or "VIP" program that rewards your customers or clients for repeat business. Likewise, a dentist may give a free cleaning to anyone who has seen him regularly for five years.