With the start of the new year, most business owners will be focusing on important, but obvious ways to grow their business, like cutting down on costs or increasing sales. However, this year, why not try strategies you may have overlooked in the past.
In a recent Forbes article – Nicole Leinbach-Reyhle, author of the book Retail Minded – speaks to leading American sales and retail experts, all who reiterate the sales mantra that customers are your business and if you don’t have them, you don’t have a business. They share how entrepreneurs can appeal to their potential and existing customers, increase their network, and grow their business in the process.
Here are 3 ways to do better business that you may have not thought of:
1. Happy customers mean more business
Kirt Manacke, a customer service expert and author of the award-winning book “Smile: Sell More with Amazing Customer Care“, says good service is good business – if you treat your customers well, you will be rewarded in return.
“Customers’ purchasing behaviours increase dramatically when a product is linked with a worthy and beneficial cause”
“While there will always be customers who have decreased attention, are in a hurry, or appear to be frazzled, you want to still aim to deliver strong customer care despite customer scenarios. One way to do this is to treat customers as if they are guests in your home.”
2. Combine profit-making with philanthropy
Dan McCabe, director of SixDegrees.org says customers’ purchasing behaviours increase dramatically when a product is linked with a worthy and beneficial cause. He says businesses must introduce commerce and charity.
“Combining your business with a charity of your choice is a great way to gain consumer attention while increasing sales. Research shows that 83 percent of customers [in America] want to buy products that benefit a cause,” he says.
3. Network, expand and reap rewards
Curtis Picard, executive director of Retail Association of Maine, says that business owners should belong to at least three professional associations.
“First, you should belong to your local Chamber of Commerce or downtown business association. That is where you business is and where your employees often live,” he says. “Moreover, you should belong to your specific industry trade association. And last, you should belong to a statewide association because most legislation happens at state level, and you need eyes and ears looking out for you business.”
