I’d like to share with you how you are able to double or triple the sales of your company during these hard economic times. The recent global economic crises are forcing many big and small businesses to lay off their employees or shut their doors. Others are still unsure what do to about it. However, some big corporations are still surviving and thriving.

Have you ever wondered why some companies continue to thrive in spite of their challenges? The answer is simple: They have an obsession to serve their customers. In 2011, Customer Choice Award ranked Amazon.com as the number one in customer service excellence. Now, business owners will say they went out of business because of cash problems and many other reasons. The reality is, they were not providing outstanding customer service in order to make more sales.

The Customer Should Be the Center of Your Business

Whether your business is ‘business to business’ or ‘business to consumer’, you cannot survive for too long without customers. As they say, “The customer is King.” I’m sure some of you reading this are going to say, “I already know this.” However, we all need a good reminder. Besides, just knowing something is not enough. You have to apply what you know in order to have tangible results.

What I am about to reveal to you here is a way for you to boost sales in your company, increase cash flow and stay productive. It’s almost like a secret because so few companies embrace and practice it. Yet, it’s the key to business growth, especially during tough times.

Consistently Deliver Amazing Customer Service

Simply put, serve your customers instead of selling to them. Don’t focus on making the sale. Focus on filling the customer’s need. You can double sales by simply focusing on raising the quality of your customer service. However, I’m not talking about the routine of everyday customer service. In this economy, if you want to increase sales, and face your competition, you have to provide outstanding customer service. Let’s look at the different levels of customer service…

There are 3 Levels of Customer Service

1. Basic service. The customers have some expectations. Basically, you figure out the customer’s expectations and meet them. Customers will not hesitate to leave you in a snap if their expectations are not met.

2.  Give more than you should.  It might seem a paradox in business to give more than you should. Simply follow this timeless wisdom, “Give, and you shall receive”. If you want your company to grow, you have to exceed the expectations of your customers. Giving doesn’t necessarily mean spending a lot of money to make your customer happy. The high quality of the service is in small things you can do: offer your customers a gift for their birthday, always receive them with a smile, actively listen to their needs and patiently answer their questions.

The main point is – your customers should feel that they are special to you. Treat them as special, because they are. That is the way to touch your customers at an emotional level. By the way, business is all about emotions. Customers only use logic for justification. However, they all buy based on emotions.

3.  An outstanding service. This is the crucial one. You should put your entire focus on this one. It’s where the magic happens. It’s the one that makes you grow as a successful company. If you do so, your price will never be an issue. You and all the people in your company should have an obsession for amazing customer service. Every customer should walk away saying, “What a wonderful service!” If you can make this kind of impression in your customer’s mind, your company can reduce their marketing budget in half. Why?

Your Customers Will Spread the Values of Your Company

When you and your team amaze every customer with high quality service, your customers will spread the word for you. I am sure you have heard this before, but it’s worth repeating…word of mouth is the best form of marketing. If you consistently deliver outstanding customer service, your customers will talk about you with their friends, neighbours and colleagues. They will remember you and they will drop the name of your company during their conversations.

Here’s a practical exercise:

First, sit down calmly with a pen and paper. Then, ask yourself, “What can I do to give more satisfaction to my customers?” Focus only on their personal interests. Let your creativity flow. Now, go and amaze your customers. As they say, “A happy customer is worth two!”

Article published in Dynamique Entrepreneuriale Magazine.