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Q4 Is Here; Finish The Year Strong

finish strongQ4 is here. As we head into the final quarter of the year, there’s a lot of hype out there from various coaches, consultants, gurus, trainers and writers. They’re pushing their services to business owners to help us finish the year on a strong note and go into 2020 as a force to be reckoned with.

Do you feel tired, overwhelmed and slightly burned out? With Q4 upon us, we are in the home stretch, and we need to get our mojo back to finish strong. Do you want to crawl across the finish line, or do you want to be a winner in this race? Let’s do a little review and revamping so we go into the final quarter with the attitude of champions. Read more

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Blame the Customer

Bad waiterLast week, my daughter and I flew to Vermont to visit my Mom who is experiencing the effects of several mini strokes. She has lost much of her ability to communicate, and her vision is impaired. We ache for her and feel helpless to do much to change her circumstances. At least she is well cared for by the staff at the Senior Community where she lives.

My brothers and I are grateful for the loving care Mom receives from the nurses and team. It is evident that they don’t put on a show just for us when we are visiting. Every one of them is caring, patient and attentive.

It’s service in the best sense of the word. The assistance provided is about the customer — the person who benefits from the work. Their motto is: “Our ability to respond is your whole reason for living in our community.”

Now for the other side of service. My brother, sister-in-law, daughter and I went to dinner at a local restaurant. We go there every time we visit because the service and food are excellent. But this time, while the food still rated a 10 the server was barely a 4. Read more

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Don’t be the Guy

Don't Be The GuyAt a recent networking meeting as the members introduced themselves, an Allstate Insurance agency owner commented that a real estate closing depends on 3 people for it to happen: the mortgage lender, the title person and the insurance agent. Sebastian’s mantra in his insurance office is: “Don’t be the guy!” Meaning, no one in his office will be responsible for a closing not happening.

I loved this! Don’t be the guy! Read more

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Customer Satisfaction: Does it Matter?

Customer-SatisfactionIn “The 10X Rule,” Grant Cardone states that customer acquisition — not customer satisfaction — should be the priority goal for businesses.

Really?

The idea that bringing in new customers needs to be the primary goal appears to be short sighted.

Some years ago, I served as a consultant to a VP at a financial institution in San Francisco. In one of the weekly meetings with her staff, the number of new clients was thrown up on the screen, and there were smiles on the faces all around the conference table. Read more

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Customer Appreciation Day

CustomersNumber1Today is National Customer Appreciation Day. With that in mind, one thing I’ve noticed recently is that retailers and service providers are routinely demanding feedback on their service.

It borders on harassment. Calls, e-mails, texts are bombarding the customer, asking that they “say nice things about our service”. After having my car serviced, the person who handled the appointment and communication nearly begged me to complete the survey and give her the highest marks so she could keep her job.

I refuse to complete this sort of survey. When someone’s job is in jeopardy based on customer feedback, businesses have gone off the rails!

Another example of such tactics happened in a restaurant. The server requested that we complete the survey and asked if we could please provide the highest rankings. Otherwise his hours would be cut if he fell short of a “10” in every category.

These businesses are not seeking honest and genuine feedback. They are using customer feedback to punish their employees. What sort of manipulation is that!?

When employees are appreciated, you can be sure customers will be appreciated too!

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The Cost of Bad Customer Service

Customer ServiceBy The Numbers

78% of consumers have bailed on a transaction or not made an intended purchase because of a poor service experience. Source: American Express Survey, 2011

3 in 5 Americans (59%) would try a new brand or company for a better service experience.  Source: American Express Survey, 2011

Did You Know?

A typical business hears from 4% of it’s dissatisfied customers.  Source: “Understanding Customers” by Ruby Newell-Legner

On average, loyal customers are worth up to 10 times as much as their first purchase. Source: White House Office of Consumer Affairs.

It is 6-7 times more expensive to acquire a new customer than it is to keep a current one. Source: White House Office of Consumer Affairs

It takes 12 positive experiences to make up for one unresolved negative experience. Source: “Understanding Customers” by Ruby Newell-Legner