Here’s a sure fire tip if you’re thinking about starting a business or just getting going and want to be successful. If you’re established in business, you could benefit from this too. Do what you say you’ll do. I know. I know. You feel ripped off. You thought I was going to give you something valuable and this is all you got. Let me tell you something, Bucky. This is all it takes.
After seeing some really neat comics about Customer service, I went to the author’s website at his direction. He said “If you would like to use my drawings, contact me for attractive pricing.” I was serious and thought he was too, so I filled out all the info on the contact form and asked for prices to use the comics. Never got a reply. A very well-known speaker has a video about Customer service that I thought was really funny and would be great in a presentation. Same thing. Different business, same response. Nothing.
I’ve always figured that doing the basic things correctly and timely was important in business. There are a lot of bright shiny objects out there now for entrepreneurs to latch onto and strike it rich, but I think the basics are what will put money in your bank account.
If you are in business and have a way for people to contact you, answer them. If you are asking people or encouraging people to contact you, especially answer them.
When I had my site work business I was always surprised when people were impressed that I returned their phone call or showed up for an appointment on time. This is just basic stuff, people. If you don’t respond to Customer inquiries about doing business with you what kind of message does that send? There is a tradesman in the town that I live in that does not answer his phone. No matter what the issue. No matter who calls. He doesn’t answer. He doesn’t return calls either. If it sounds like you want him to do some work, he just shows up when it’s good for him. I guess he has enough to do, but sooner or later the people who answer their phone and return their phone calls will put him out of business.
How can this be? Why would people who are business act like this? I think it’s because they found something they love to do, but never considered the business side of things. Your passion for what you do will only take you so far. It’s important and a great foundation, but if you think you passion alone will make you rich; you should probably rethink that position.
Reply to emails. Answer your phone. Return missed calls. Keep appointments, (ON TIME). These things require no investment, yet they can cost your business immensely if you don’t do them.
