Are you customer-centred? That is a sloppy question as there is no agreement on what is being talked about when talking about customer-centricity. So, let me ask that question in a more precise way: when the customer interacts with you/your organisation, through any touchpoint or combination thereof, does the customer experience the feeling of being cared for by you?
I take statins every day. It just so happens the daily dose of 60mg requires me to take two tablets: 40mg tablet, and a 20 mg tablet. Take a look at the pictures:
Do you see that the 40mg tablets come in packaging that merely states what the product is (Arvostatin) and the dosage (40mg)? Now look at the packaging in which the 20mg tablets come – do you notice the difference? I found myself noticing the difference. How exactly did I experience this difference? I heard myself saying to myself “These folks care! They get that the product is for a human being. How useful it is to have the days of week on the packaging next to the tablets!” I found myself in a state (mood) of gratitude. AND I had a smile on my face – I found myself to be feeling happy.
I draw your attention to the following:
- The product is an essential touchpoint – one which is almost always ignored by the Customer Experience folks whose focus is limited to interaction channels (web, mobile app, telephone, email….);
- The packaging is a touchpoint – one which is ignored for the most part by many – exception is Apple, the folks at Apple get the importance of packaging and ensure that their packaging is a feast to the eyes and easy on the hands; and
- Information whilst not a touchpoint can deeply touch a customer – useful information provided at the right time through the right channel / touchpoint occurs (through the eyes of the customer) as a blessing/gift and generates gratitude like that which Amazon.com provides in allowing me to track gifts (start to finish) sent to friends/family.
Enough for today. I thank you for your listening. If you are celebrating Christmas then I hope that your Christmas is one of giving/sharing/loving and being loved. Until the next time….
