Have you ever tried to glue something, only to find that the glue was actually stronger than what you applied it to, so the end result was another break? The same thing can happen when trying to stick like glue to your customers. If your foundation isn’t very strong, the best glue in the world won’t help you.
Your foundation is the relationship you have with your customers. It is your level of customer service—the way your business treats and values customers. In order to succeed in any business, excellent customer service is paramount. I’ve always stood on the principle that you can never go too far with customer service.
Bill Glazer, internationally recognized marketing expert, uses the phrase, “Inspect what you expect.” By that, he means that you should honestly evaluate how your company is addressing your customers.
How? There are two excellent ways.
- You can pose as a customer, or
- You can have someone play that role on your behalf—this is known as mystery shopping.