Do you know why it’s essential to put customers first?
It is well known that Ray Kroc, also known as Raymond Kroc, is the man behind the incredible success of a little fast-food chain called McDonald’s. The fastest-growing fast-food chain in the world was founded and expanded by him.
The Time Magazine list of the ‘100 Most Important People of the 20th Century’ also included Mr. Kroc.
In the beginning, I quoted Ray Kroc in order to emphasize the importance of putting the customer first. A successful business in the world was built on the basis of this philosophy and continues to be based on it.
In this article, I’m going to discuss 5 reasons to put customers first and how to do it.
What does it mean to put the customer first?
In simple terms, putting the customer first means prioritizing the needs and requirements of a customer over everything and anything else.
Businesses of this type are striving to provide customers with the most positive experience possible so that they can build healthy relationships with them.
They put the customer’s priorities before anything else, and provide a tailored customer experience as a result.
Through various different methods and avenues, they thank and acknowledge their customers on a regular basis for their business.
Putting the customer first is commonly known as being customer-oriented, customer-driven or customer-focused. Rather than focusing on their own profit, they measure how satisfied their customers are as a way to determine their success.
Examples of customer-centric companies include Apple, Samsung, Google, and GE. They are concerned with identifying the needs, wants, and requirements of their customers, and do everything in their power to meet those needs, wants, and requirements. Customer service is another area in which these companies excel.
Customers are always put first for these organizations, it’s in their DNA!
5 Reasons to Put Customers First
1. Great Customer Service Builds Loyalty
In the past, providing a good product at an affordable price was enough to set a company apart from its competitors, if you were even in competition.
You need to make yourself stand out if you are selling a commodity. To capture the consumer’s attention, there needs to be excellent customer service and nothing less.
The only reasons people will remain loyal to a company have to be very compelling. Pricing is typically the first thing companies consider when comparing themselves to competitors.
However, competing only on price can be harmful to your business and ruin your margins. It is very easy for a competitor to drop their prices lower than yours and when prices fall, nobody wins.
A company’s customer service sets it apart from its competitor if the two products were priced about the same.
This is why you must work hard to provide the best customer service possible.
2. Improved customer service equals more money
For one important reason: to succeed, companies must continuously change and adapt to the changing demographics and needs of their customers. The result will be that they will lose out to their competitors who do it better, plain and simple.
The best way to retain and reward customers is by putting their needs first.
What makes people purchase an iPhone every year? What keeps the iPhone – and Apple as a company – above the competition year after year?
Because Apple understands what people want and meets those needs. That’s why it has built a strong army of loyal customers who will buy an iPhone or an iPad each year no matter their budget!
3. Customer service equals public relations
A company’s satisfied customers are more likely to tell their friends about their experiences – on average, they tell nine people.
The moon has its dark side, too. The average unhappy customer will tell 16 friends, whereas a happy customer might tell nine. Each upset customer would receive sixteen “anti-referrals.”.
Bad customer service comes at a high price. By putting your customers first, you can ensure that many of these less-than-great interactions never happen.
In contrast, excellent customer service can be an awesome, natural source of business promotion.
4. Employee turnover is prevented by a great service culture
All employees, including those in front-line service positions, want to feel valued and have pride in the work they do.
An organization with a culture of customer service is the best place for them to thrive.
Customers, as well as employees on the front lines, will be affected if you don’t cultivate a customer service culture.
Because you don’t care about the quality of service across the entire company, your customer service representatives will be less passionate about their work, which will negatively affect the customer’s experience.
5. Keep Your Business Growing
Developing a strong culture of customer service is hard work, but it is necessary.
If you want to really stand out and earn the right to charge higher prices than your competition and keep your customers you need to compete on customer experience before anything else.
Your product is only as good as the way you do business with your customers.
Customers expect a high level of service from everyone. Your business will benefit in no time if yours stands out.
6 Ways to Put Customers First
1. Do marketing research
You should ask your customer what he or she wants. Find out what makes them tick.
Marketing research, both primary and secondary, is essential here.
It is crucial to collect data on people’s expectations of you, so you can meet those expectations by collecting data.
Besides the traditional methods of collecting this kind of data, keep an eye out on Facebook comments, chat rooms where your customers gather (like Reddit), and take a look at relevant keywords on Google (for instance, look at blogs specific to your market).
2. Don’t let your customers down
They want what you have to offer. Make sure they receive the best value.
Benefits less cost equals value. In determining whether or not to do business with your organization, people look at these factors.
Make sure that your customers can get easy access to all of your products and services at all times. Either you or your provider can decide how to go about doing this.
3. Keep your promises
It is your responsibility to deliver on expectations. You are showing your customer that you do not value their priorities by breaking any promises that you have made. Your reputation may be damaged as a result of this.
This is why it is essential to set realistic goals in the first place in order to set realistic expectations.
4. Thank your customers
You should thank your customers for their business, for buying from you, and for using your products and services year after year.
They can be thanked in different ways – from emails and texts to social media messages. Getting to know your customers and clients begins by talking with them.
5. From time to time, reward your customers
You can accomplish this through a variety of means – discounts, sales, rebates, promotions, hosting parties, or running contests (with valuable prizes) etc. Clients deserve something in return. Use your creativity to come up with something unique!
Let your clients and customers leave you feedback and/or reach out to you using a variety of methods – phone, email, website, or from the smartphone app (if applicable). For example, Dell has an online support forum. Dell can use this forum to monitor what its customers are saying about the company and its products, as well as to provide support to people through crowdsourcing.
6. Making customer-focused as an organizational culture
Training and rewarding good behaviours ensure that every member of your organization is focused on delivering the solutions your customers need.
Change and adapt as time passes. You have to keep up with your customers’ changing wants, requirements, and needs. Your solutions, products, and services should be no different.
Any Thoughts?
I would appreciate any feedback, thoughts, or comments. Comment below if you have any questions!
){kind=link}