Do You Have An Iron Cage Around Your Customers
I recently came across a receipt from my trip to Italy last year and, rather than cringe in pain when seeing that receipt again, I smiled at the instant memory of the experience which it generated. It was one of the few nice days we had and I was sitting with my uncle and mother at an outside table in the center of Piazza Navona (Navona Square) in Rome watching local artists selling their works and people milling about.
Why did I smile rather than cringe It was the "experience". I was immediately brought back to the people, the chatting, the smells, the feel of the warm sun on a winter's day, the sound of the Fountain of Four Rivers -- all of it, generated off a receipt for wine and bottled water.
Are they happy they did business with you Are they frustrated Did you answer the phone with a smile Are your emails friendly or clipped stop procrastinating.
In this age of technology-driven companies and recorded receptionists, are you providing your clients with a personal touch It's the personal touch, the feeling that they are special to you and your business that will bring them back again and again.
With the Internet, clients (and customers) today are extremely fickle. They can quickly and easily "Google" another company that provides similar goods and services. You need to create an iron cage around your clients -- and you do that by creating loyalty. You should be the *only* virtual assistant or consultant or pizza company that they think of when needing your services.
Now before you dismiss all of this and say "I can't do this, my business is different!", let's discuss some ways you can create loyalty through positive experiences.
My husband and I went on a Celebrity cruise to Alaska with another couple a few years ago. It was the most amazing trip of my life. If you ask my hubby about the trip, he immediately focuses on two things: the glaciers (a little hard to beat those) and our waiter, Sanchez. Sanchez was, by far, the best waiter we have EVER had. He remembered all of our names, our likes, our dislikes, our quirky requests, everything -- and this was after one dinner.
We felt truly cared about. And how he added to our experience was reflected in the end-of-cruise tip he received -- five times the recommended amount. :-)
Similarly, there was a local used car dealership which prided itself on caring about its customers. They even offered free, no-appointment-needed oil changes for as long as you owned your car and free loaners whenever your car needed repairs.
One of their salesmen lived up the street from me and whenever I needed work done, he would swing by in the morning and drop off a loaner and bring my car back that night -- fixed and ready to go (including a wash and vacuuming). He didn't get paid any extra and he wasn't even "my" salesman. He, and everyone else at that dealership, prided themselves on the total customer experience.
The result -- my husband and I told everyone we know how great they were and, within the course of 2 years, 16 people we referred there purchased vehicles. Not including my parents who originally referred us and bought two there themselves. Then they changed ownership and service was never the same -- the company quickly went out of business. Care about your clients and they will care about you.
I have a client who is very relaxed in nature. She loves to laugh and joke and have a good time. I have another who is very formal and serious. I enjoy working with both of these clients and personalize how I work with them so they remain in their comfort zone while working with me.
goal setting I also do A LOT of reading and clip out and send things of interest to each of my clients as I come across them. It's not always about business, as a result of working together, I've learned their personal interests and send them things related to what they care about.
In addition to my ezine and regular coaching sessions, I "touch" my clients, past clients and prospective clients, at least six times each year. Each "touch" gives them something positive -- whether it be holiday wishes, a discount on a new product or a gift -- and reminds them that I am here if they need me.
As simple as this sounds, many businesses forget to thank their clients for doing business with them. Your clients have a choice -- they CAN go elsewhere. Thank them for doing business with you. Thank them personally, thank them in writing, thank them with discount coupons. . .just THANK THEM!
If you have a client who is currently going through some tough times, do something to let them know that you care and will stick by them during this time. Whether you extend your invoice terms, offer them a discounted rate or otherwise "help" them during their time of need, they will remember it. It's human nature to want to do something good for someone when they have done something good for us -- let them "do something good for you" by being a loyal customer.
These are just a few ways that you can give your clients a positive experience when dealing with you and your business. Have staff If so, you'll want to ingrain this in every one of them -- from the receptionist to the shipping clerk.
For the past 5 years, Sandra Martini has been showing self-employed business owners how to get more clients consistently by implementing processes and systems to put their marketing on autopilot. Visit Sandra at somekeyword for details, compelling client testimonials and her free audio series -5 Simple and Easy Steps to Put Your Marketing on Autopilot- goal setting.
Why did I smile rather than cringe It was the "experience". I was immediately brought back to the people, the chatting, the smells, the feel of the warm sun on a winter's day, the sound of the Fountain of Four Rivers -- all of it, generated off a receipt for wine and bottled water.
Are they happy they did business with you Are they frustrated Did you answer the phone with a smile Are your emails friendly or clipped stop procrastinating.
In this age of technology-driven companies and recorded receptionists, are you providing your clients with a personal touch It's the personal touch, the feeling that they are special to you and your business that will bring them back again and again.
With the Internet, clients (and customers) today are extremely fickle. They can quickly and easily "Google" another company that provides similar goods and services. You need to create an iron cage around your clients -- and you do that by creating loyalty. You should be the *only* virtual assistant or consultant or pizza company that they think of when needing your services.
Now before you dismiss all of this and say "I can't do this, my business is different!", let's discuss some ways you can create loyalty through positive experiences.
My husband and I went on a Celebrity cruise to Alaska with another couple a few years ago. It was the most amazing trip of my life. If you ask my hubby about the trip, he immediately focuses on two things: the glaciers (a little hard to beat those) and our waiter, Sanchez. Sanchez was, by far, the best waiter we have EVER had. He remembered all of our names, our likes, our dislikes, our quirky requests, everything -- and this was after one dinner.
We felt truly cared about. And how he added to our experience was reflected in the end-of-cruise tip he received -- five times the recommended amount. :-)
Similarly, there was a local used car dealership which prided itself on caring about its customers. They even offered free, no-appointment-needed oil changes for as long as you owned your car and free loaners whenever your car needed repairs.
One of their salesmen lived up the street from me and whenever I needed work done, he would swing by in the morning and drop off a loaner and bring my car back that night -- fixed and ready to go (including a wash and vacuuming). He didn't get paid any extra and he wasn't even "my" salesman. He, and everyone else at that dealership, prided themselves on the total customer experience.
The result -- my husband and I told everyone we know how great they were and, within the course of 2 years, 16 people we referred there purchased vehicles. Not including my parents who originally referred us and bought two there themselves. Then they changed ownership and service was never the same -- the company quickly went out of business. Care about your clients and they will care about you.
I have a client who is very relaxed in nature. She loves to laugh and joke and have a good time. I have another who is very formal and serious. I enjoy working with both of these clients and personalize how I work with them so they remain in their comfort zone while working with me.
goal setting I also do A LOT of reading and clip out and send things of interest to each of my clients as I come across them. It's not always about business, as a result of working together, I've learned their personal interests and send them things related to what they care about.
In addition to my ezine and regular coaching sessions, I "touch" my clients, past clients and prospective clients, at least six times each year. Each "touch" gives them something positive -- whether it be holiday wishes, a discount on a new product or a gift -- and reminds them that I am here if they need me.
As simple as this sounds, many businesses forget to thank their clients for doing business with them. Your clients have a choice -- they CAN go elsewhere. Thank them for doing business with you. Thank them personally, thank them in writing, thank them with discount coupons. . .just THANK THEM!
If you have a client who is currently going through some tough times, do something to let them know that you care and will stick by them during this time. Whether you extend your invoice terms, offer them a discounted rate or otherwise "help" them during their time of need, they will remember it. It's human nature to want to do something good for someone when they have done something good for us -- let them "do something good for you" by being a loyal customer.
These are just a few ways that you can give your clients a positive experience when dealing with you and your business. Have staff If so, you'll want to ingrain this in every one of them -- from the receptionist to the shipping clerk.
For the past 5 years, Sandra Martini has been showing self-employed business owners how to get more clients consistently by implementing processes and systems to put their marketing on autopilot. Visit Sandra at somekeyword for details, compelling client testimonials and her free audio series -5 Simple and Easy Steps to Put Your Marketing on Autopilot- goal setting.
Benefits of Galvin Green
How do the Galvin Greens benefit golfers Do they help them perform well Do they help them play comfortably Do they help them excel in the game Do they help them club the ball well Do they create such a comforting environment that the player really feels in his comfort zone As a matter of fact, all of these points mentioned above are the benefits of using the Galvin Green whilst playing the game of golf.
Performance automatically goes up when you have the Galvin Green gear with you. They enhance comfort levels. They help the player in playing well. Be it the Rife Putters or the Galvin Green Golf Clothing or the one that comes for the ladies, the Galvin Green Ladies, things are good. The clothing ensures comfort. Never ever is the player in a situation where in he feels that he is not comfortable playing. Players perspire when the game is in motion. The clothing absorbs all that and ensures that the player is at ease. Next in line are the Rife Putters. The putters are clubs that help in stroking the ball well. They are firmly crafted and made such that the ball can be swung at well and the force with which it gets hit is retained.
The Galvin Green Golf Clothing is made up of very soft cloth that lets the skin breathe and air come in freely. The clothing is made so that when the player, he exerts himself. Perspiration is inevitable. The players would find it very sweaty and tough to adjust himself and rather than concentrating on the game, he would be more worried about scratching his back. The cloth does not let a situation like that arise. It absorbs the water that comes out of the body and absorbs it completely. comfortzone The player does not even feel the sensation and can comfortably carry on with the game. Even lady golfers are aware of this fact and hence use the somekeyword whilst playing.
These are some of the very fine benefits that the Galvin Green gear offers to the players. Comfort, dexterity, ease, relief etc. are some of the many adjectives that one can associate this gear with. They make life easier for the golfer on any turf as they are suited for all climatic conditions. Things become very easy with the Galvin Green on board and players are able to capitalize on this advantage. They get to utilize it the most and also are able to improvise on their game because of these benefits.
The benefits count on all grounds. It helps the golfer a lot and brings in all the advantages and benefits the golfer might ever look for. There is nothing else that the golfer has to do apart from buying this gear. He can swing well, can club with the same intensity and drive with similar exuberance. The shots will be spot on and there won't be an iota of sweat troubling the player.
Perhaps the greatest benefit of using the somekeyword gear is the enhancement in status that a player gets to experience. The way in which his status goes up is testament to the supreme perception in which the gear is held. The gear itself has become a symbol of prestige. People look up to it very highly. They think of it in a very big way. They hold it in too high a regard to neglect. The player will suddenly see people looking up to him in a very big way and will feel the difference whilst on turf. That is the biggest moral benefit a player gets through this gear.
Stepping Out Of Your Comfort Zone
As I pushed against the pedals of my bike during a recent bike (spin) class at the gym, I observed my own discomfort rise as the intensity of the class increased. Confronted with both physical and emotional discomfort, I became consciously aware that I had two primary choices in response to my pain. Each of these responses would impact differently on my outcome and results. So what result could I expect to achieve by stepping out of my comfort zone
Placed under pressure, my physical body responded by 'heating up' - my breathing became shallower and faster, my legs began to ache, and beads of sweat erupted over my body, slowing dripping off my face in steady drops onto the floor below. As I reached for a towel to wipe my face and momentarily recover, I realized that I was now experiencing emotional discomfort as well.
As my physical discomfort intensified, so did my emotional discomfort. I experienced feelings of doubt as to whether I could continue with the level of intensity, and feelings of wanting to disconnect and/or quit from the physical discomfort I was experiencing.
One choice was to 'back off' or slow down, and thereby reduce and/or minimize my discomfort. If I took this choice, I knew I could experience returning to a place of physical comfort, where my body 'cooled' down and relaxed, and also to a place where my emotions would return to a calmer state.
comfortzone The other choice I faced was to notice and accept my discomfort, but to decide that I would continue regardless. In this decision I understood I could continue to experience discomfort (for a temporary period), and perhaps even face the possibility that the intensity of discomfort would increase.
Is it to experience exercising comfortably - knowing that by not extending or pushing my limits, there was a good possibility that my level of fitness and physical shape would remain unchanged (or be very minimal) OR Is my intention to experience change and growth in terms of my physical fitness and shape, knowing that in order to achieve this I would likely need to push my current physical comfort boundaries
Relative to my short and long-term goals for the class, (which in this instance was to increase my fitness), making the choice to 'push' through my discomfort and persist with that temporarily, was more likely to produce the result I was after.
In my opinion, there was no 'right' or 'wrong' answer faced with the above choices. Rather, simply an awareness of whether the choice made was in alignment with the end result I wished to experience.
When you're next exercising - be it walking the dog, exercising at home or at the gym - why not ask yourself this question to provide you with the answer.
If your own intention is purely for pleasure or recreation, then you may be quite willing to create the experience where your exercise is comfortable and painless.
If however you are looking to produce change at a physical or fitness level, consider the possibility that experiencing some discomfort may be necessary in order for you to achieve these results.
Choosing a state of 'discomfort' or 'comfort' is not a judgment exercise, simply a choice you make relative to creating an outcome more in alignment with your desired result.
The Adventure Attitude
Of the 60,000 people who lived to be over 100 in the United States in 2002, the single most important characteristic they had in common was their ability to be positive in the face of change. They were able to look at things objectively, put them in perspective and move on. They didnt try to control the uncontrollable. Surviving, thriving and living a long happy healthy life may just depend on your ability to develop the Adventure Attitude.
The adventure attitude is about taking the challenges in your life and making the choice to look at them as an adventure. As a mountain climber, I see mountains as powerful, awesome, and majestic wonders of nature, that beckon us to accept the challenge of the climb. Climbing the mountain is about trying new things, seeking new adventure, and expanding your life. The adventure attitude allows us to climb our personal mountains with positive attitude, energy and creativity. It allows us to see possibilities in the impossible, find solutions to problems, and send us in a new direction.
BEING POSITIVE IN THE FACE OF THE NEGATIVE. We can choose to see our glass half empty or half full. We can look at setbacks with a sense of wonder instead of a sense of scorn and try to see where the new path will lead us.
LIVING IN THE MOMENT WITH PASSION AND ENERGY. In mountain climbing focusing on the path we are taking step by step allows us to notice all the small things we encounter along the way. If we slow down and appreciate each moment, each moment has more meaning. It allows us to live life to the fullest.
comfortzone ALWAYS BEING OPEN TO LEARNING NEW THINGS. The more we learn, the more we seek to learn. The world opens up when we are learning. Curiosity that leads to new learning awakens the passion in your life.
ACCEPTING THE MOUNTAIN AND THE CHALLENGE as an opportunity for positive change. Stretching yourself out of the comfort zone mentally and physically makes the comfort zone that much larger and allows you to stretch even more. The world outside the comfort zone is a world of immense possibilities that opens little by little as you challenge your personal boundaries.
THINKING LIKE A CHILD. The adventure attitude is about looking at life much like a child looks at it. As a child reaches for something he wants, he is excited and positive; rarely discouraged by defeat. He is flexible enough to change focus and sees possibilities in every direction. His options are open. He isnt afraid to make mistakes or concerned about pleasing someone else. The fire in his eyes and energy in his step tell it all. Life is a fun game, and anything in his path can become part of it.
HAVING FAITH that you will get the support that you need when you need it. AND YOU WILL. From friends, family, and God. All you have to do is trust, let go of control, and ask for help when you need it.
Creating Comfort Zones In Your Trade Show Display Efforts
It may seem a bit oxymoronic to discuss personal space, spatial empathy or personal boundaries in regard to an environment that is all about interacting with other individuals. But on the other hand, nothing could be more relevant. Personal space is the region surrounding a person which they regard as psychologically theirs. Invasion of this space often leads to discomfort or anxiety (not what you want when soliciting business). comfortzone According to the experts, each individual"s comfort zone is highly variable; but estimates place it at about 24"" on either side, 28"" in front and 16" behind the average westerner. [Wikipedia].
We all learned the basics of personal boundaries in Psychology 101; and all good marketing or sales people have advanced training in the subject or come by it naturally. comfortzone But guesstimating the flexibility of others personal space can be tough work. An easy and automatic way to create spatial empathy in interacting with show attendees (whom you hope will become future customers) is by utilizing Trade Show Displays counters or workstations in all your marketing venues.
Trade Show Display counters are portable cabinetry designed for easy setup, quick take-down and effortless transporting. Incorporated into a Trade Show Display or stand alone, they are idea for displaying product; holding laptops or monitors; and giving your sales team a "home" base. goal setting Staff members can stand behind these podiums when interacting with the public-whether it is to hand out product, literature or conduct surveys. ExhibitTrader. com carries a large inventory of these indispensable marketing tools ranging in size, shape, purpose and price. Visit our home page, www. exhibittrader2. com and using the drop down navigation bar, click on "display counters" to view the wide variety available to suit your individual need.
When your venue is in a wide open public space-whether a mall or convention hall-where do you place anything A display cabinet or workstation can be the answer. Storage is often a commodity hard to come by when companies participate in trade shows or other marketing endeavors. Many of the counters we offer have locked storage idea for product, literature, tools, personal belongings, laptops or audio-visual equipment. Having this feature will allow you to leave some necessary items stocked in your workstation; versus lugging such back and forth each day.
The graphic capability varies from model to model with many offering substantial expanses for graphic presentation and some, none at all. If you need graphics to brand your product or company and favor a counter that does not have graphic ability, there are many options. Banner Stand Back Walls are one easy and affordable option to create visually appealing graphic presentations. Single aluminum frame systems, with dye sub fabric graphics can be used singularly, or in multiples to create a seamless "back wall". The graphics on these units can be easily changed out allowing for affordable rebranding from show to show. If floor space is at a premium, our table top banner stands are slim lined and set atop counters (or other surfaces) to easily bring graphics to your marketing venue.
With so many styles, shapes, sizes and prices ranges available; the use for trade show display counters and workstations is only as limited as your creativity".and budget. So visit our website today and let one of our display representatives assist you in selecting a marketing tool that allows you-within budget- to assertively pursue leads without setting off people"s amygdales or losing your shirt (or other personal belongings).
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We all learned the basics of personal boundaries in Psychology 101; and all good marketing or sales people have advanced training in the subject or come by it naturally. comfortzone But guesstimating the flexibility of others personal space can be tough work. An easy and automatic way to create spatial empathy in interacting with show attendees (whom you hope will become future customers) is by utilizing Trade Show Displays counters or workstations in all your marketing venues.
Trade Show Display counters are portable cabinetry designed for easy setup, quick take-down and effortless transporting. Incorporated into a Trade Show Display or stand alone, they are idea for displaying product; holding laptops or monitors; and giving your sales team a "home" base. goal setting Staff members can stand behind these podiums when interacting with the public-whether it is to hand out product, literature or conduct surveys. ExhibitTrader. com carries a large inventory of these indispensable marketing tools ranging in size, shape, purpose and price. Visit our home page, www. exhibittrader2. com and using the drop down navigation bar, click on "display counters" to view the wide variety available to suit your individual need.
When your venue is in a wide open public space-whether a mall or convention hall-where do you place anything A display cabinet or workstation can be the answer. Storage is often a commodity hard to come by when companies participate in trade shows or other marketing endeavors. Many of the counters we offer have locked storage idea for product, literature, tools, personal belongings, laptops or audio-visual equipment. Having this feature will allow you to leave some necessary items stocked in your workstation; versus lugging such back and forth each day.
The graphic capability varies from model to model with many offering substantial expanses for graphic presentation and some, none at all. If you need graphics to brand your product or company and favor a counter that does not have graphic ability, there are many options. Banner Stand Back Walls are one easy and affordable option to create visually appealing graphic presentations. Single aluminum frame systems, with dye sub fabric graphics can be used singularly, or in multiples to create a seamless "back wall". The graphics on these units can be easily changed out allowing for affordable rebranding from show to show. If floor space is at a premium, our table top banner stands are slim lined and set atop counters (or other surfaces) to easily bring graphics to your marketing venue.
With so many styles, shapes, sizes and prices ranges available; the use for trade show display counters and workstations is only as limited as your creativity".and budget. So visit our website today and let one of our display representatives assist you in selecting a marketing tool that allows you-within budget- to assertively pursue leads without setting off people"s amygdales or losing your shirt (or other personal belongings).
