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Be different in your approach
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Standing Above the Crowd
Contents for this business article
- Be at one with your clients
- Be different in your approach
- Communication is the key
Be different in your approach
Be innovative.
Most companies do business the same way until a crisis, emergency, or significant change in the marketplace forces them to adapt. The most successful organizations are creative and innovative. They constantly look for new ways to do business, gain more their market share, please their customers, and offer new products and services. The inherent challenge with this is that you will encounter resistance from many people both inside and outside of the company; I have experienced this first-hand in several companies I have worked for.
However, if you try to be innovative ONLY when it's absolutely necessary, you will never get the head-start on your competition. Watch for trends in other industries as well as yours and think of how you can incorporate these into your business. Be a leader instead of a follower.
Surprise them.
Look for ways to surprise your customers and do something completely unexpected for them. Make a charitable donation in their name. Invite them to a special event. Give them a bonus gift or service. Find out what networking events your clients might like to attend and send them a complimentary invitation. If they enjoy reading send an occasional book in their area of interest. Gift certificates to a show or play may be appreciated by some of your customers.
Two words of caution:
i) Be careful that your "surprise" is not misinterpreted as a bribe to do business with you. There cannot be any strings or hidden conditions attached to this offering.
ii) Make sure your client is allowed to accept a gift. Some organizations have a strict "no gift" policy and you must respect it.
Most companies do business the same way until a crisis, emergency, or significant change in the marketplace forces them to adapt. The most successful organizations are creative and innovative. They constantly look for new ways to do business, gain more their market share, please their customers, and offer new products and services. The inherent challenge with this is that you will encounter resistance from many people both inside and outside of the company; I have experienced this first-hand in several companies I have worked for.
However, if you try to be innovative ONLY when it's absolutely necessary, you will never get the head-start on your competition. Watch for trends in other industries as well as yours and think of how you can incorporate these into your business. Be a leader instead of a follower.
Surprise them.
Look for ways to surprise your customers and do something completely unexpected for them. Make a charitable donation in their name. Invite them to a special event. Give them a bonus gift or service. Find out what networking events your clients might like to attend and send them a complimentary invitation. If they enjoy reading send an occasional book in their area of interest. Gift certificates to a show or play may be appreciated by some of your customers.
Two words of caution:
i) Be careful that your "surprise" is not misinterpreted as a bribe to do business with you. There cannot be any strings or hidden conditions attached to this offering.
ii) Make sure your client is allowed to accept a gift. Some organizations have a strict "no gift" policy and you must respect it.
Read more: Communication is the key
All articles reproduced with permission from This Is Your Business