Some say that customer loyalty supersedes product/service quality. I think this is true to some extent.
Customer loyalty plays a big role in subtle ways in our day to day interactions.
Probably you have experienced this in some way or another. Below are some practical tips on building your customer loyalty.
- A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Great ambitions are good, however we have to nurture what we have. When we nurture, we harvest a great bounty. Occassionally when we rise up a bit financially or in position, a stubborn nudge may tell us, I need “big size” clients in my portfolio therefore I will stop focusing on “medium size” clients to get “big size” clients. Unfortunately, this does not ogre well many a time.
Maybe the person in company “medium size” is the next mover and shaker of society. Sometimes the way “big size” clients will treat you may make you wonder why you even focused on them. For example, “big size” clients usually have extremely high unnecessary demands, pay your cheque 6 months later, and have a battalion of lawyers should you threaten to sue them. On the other hand “small size” clients are faithful in paying you on time and with your services
Growing together fosters loyalty. Therefore we need to value and grow what we have at every moment. What we think we do not need now, may be what we need in the future and there is no telling what the future holds. Loyalties lie with where you are at now, not with where you will be in the future. The black coal in your hand is actually your same future sparkling diamond. Do not let let go of it.
Do not bite the hand that feeds you
Do you have what you need and is your business growing or have you reached at the management level at your workplace? If you have, you may now start viewing the company that you work for as some worthless wasteful place. If you are in business, you may start viewing your loyal customers as old small monied people. That unfortunately is a poverty mentality. If you start despising the place that made you rise up in the beginning, be careful because your words or attitudes could be the things that will bite at you.
Instead value what you have as you keep growing yourself. Never forget your humble beginnings. Humility comes before honour. The people who brought you where you are, could be the same people to take you to the next level by saying a good word for you or bringing you to your knees begging. Understand where you need your loyalties to be.
- Hurry hurry has no blessings
We are in the microwave society. Everything has to be instant. We want it now and now. Unfortunately life is never like that. The only way you can build customer loyalty is by fostering trust. Most people are loyal to your company because they trust your product. Beyond the product, probably they place value on the time you have been together.
Once you start growing the business relationship together, add value to the people that you are serving. This fosters relationships that overlook simple mistakes that at times happen in business. Emotions play a big role in business relationships which is sometimes overlooked. Do not be in a hurry to miss out on your blessings. Focus on adding value, and this needs time which cannot be rushed. Slow is the new fast ;). This way you will have your clients being loyal to you most of the time.
chichiwambua 