The answer to that question is pretty simple. Without the customer there is no money, right. When the economy is tough and money is tight though, it can be easy to forget that. We tend to let ourselves get stressed about the money and forget that it is our customers that keep us in business. It’s important we remind ourselves from time to time that if we take care of our customers, the money will come. Our customers always need to come first.

Let me give you an example of this working extremely well. In the small town I live in, there is a small hardware store. Other than carrying a few unusual, hard to find products, there is really nothing special about the store itself. It’s a hardware store. There are other stores in town where most of these products could be purchased and major chain stores within 20 miles where everything could be purchased much cheaper. Truthfully, most of the products could probably be purchased at other stores in town cheaper. Despite all of this, their customers continue to shop with them. Why? What incentive do they have to spend more money for the same products, especially in this economy?

Well, it’s because they make it very clear that they are there to help their customers in any way they can. From greeting them as they come in the door (when possible) and offering help, to ordering items that they do not have in stock or do not normally carry. They demonstrate to their customers every day that they are important to them and that they appreciate them. It doesn’t matter if the customer is spending $1 or $100, they are all treated the same. Their customers come first.

Do your customers come first? Do your customers know that they are important to you and that you appreciate them?

Share your thoughts with us by leaving a comment below. We appreciate you stopping by to spend a little time with us.

Photo credit: rabbits on chairs

The definition of brand has changed quite a bit over the years.  In the early 1900′s, brand was simply an identifying symbol or mark that distinguished a product from its competitors.  Cattle ranchers, for example, branded their cattle with their symbol or mark.  Each ranchers product (their cattle) could be easily identified by the brand.

Today brand means so much more than that.  Sure, your symbol, your logo is still part of the equation but it really is just a small part.  Your brand is also everything from the feel of your marketing campaigns, the look and feel of your store, the quality of your product or service to the perception your customers have of you and your business.  Your true brand is the unwritten, unspoken promise that you make to your customers about your products or services.  It is the feeling that your customers leave your store with.

What is the feeling your customers have of your business?  Is it what you intended it to be?  Are you unsure of what impression your customers have of your business?  There’s no doubt in my mind that you know what you want your customers experience to be like but are you sure of what their experience has been.

If you haven’t already done it, now is a perfect time to determine what your brand is.  Make sure your store, inside and out, gives the impression you are going for.  Make sure your staff know what you want your brand to say and what your expectations are of them.  Everything that you and your business does, from advertising, to online presence, to communicating with customers should reflect your brand.

If you are just starting out in business, know that developing your brand takes time.  It’s a matter of showing your customers time after time the same experience.  Eventually, they will come to know you as the company that is [insert your brand here].

What does your brand say?

Photo credit:  Erfellie