Some folks think it’s never good business to turn away business. I beg to differ. In fact, there are times when new business will cost you money, tarnish your reputation, and possibly even damage the long-term prospects of your organization. You’re probably thinking, “You’re kidding, right?” The fact is, there are times when it’s good… [Read More]
Ever Feel Like You’ve Been Taken?
Ever feel like you’ve been taken? Did you ever shop for something and feel so dirty during the buying process that you felt you needed to take a shower afterward? Even though you were pleased with the product, you felt that the buying experience was so sleazy it made your skin crawl. What caused your… [Read More]
How Do You React to Failure?
9 Keys to Twitter Success
Twitter offers a gateway to wonderful people and access to vast resources, but there’s an etiquette that should be followed to achieve Twitter success. Here are nine lessons I’ve learned to achieve Twitter success: Twitter is a megaphone to the world. It’s remarkable how far a good idea can travel on social media. I am still… [Read More]
45 Surefire Ways to Torpedo a Customer Relationship
You work hard to attract new customers. Why not invest the same effort in retaining them? Here are 45 surefire ways to torpedo a customer relationship: Employees treat customers as an inconvenience. Internal meetings detract from customer face time. Customers are nickeled-and-dimed to death. CYA is more prevalent than problem solving. Communication is nonexistent. Everything… [Read More]
Truth Be Told: 13 Ways to Demonstrate Honesty
Sales Tip #20. Too Close to the Forest
Because we have a thorough understanding of our products, we often forget that our customers don’t. We forget the problems we faced when we first began using the products. Be careful to explain things to your customers, take time to show them how things work, and gauge the response you receive. Even more important, remember… [Read More]
Sales tip #24. I’m Sorry
Never be ashamed to admit fault. Poor service is all too commonplace, but that does not make it acceptable. Customers deserve an apology every time they receive less than adequate service. For example, an airline captain who apologizes for a delay and adds, “Sorry we are late in arriving, but our policy is safety first,”… [Read More]