When it comes to being a more mobile small business, are you utilizing all of the resources available to you to the max?
Technology is one of those resources that many small businesses fail to grasp the importance of.
While some businesses are all over technology, others are unfortunately lacking in this regard. For those companies in the latter group, staying in business for that matter can prove to be a challenge. If they let their competitors get the better of them in terms of technology and overall customer service, those doors can close on staying in business rather quickly.
That said how have you been using technology as part of your overall customer service efforts to better your brand?
If technology has been on the back-burner up to now, change that moving ahead in 2017.
By giving your small business more mobility, you and your customers stand to be the beneficiaries.
Taking New Strides in the World of Customer Expectations
So that your small business can be better prepared to meet the demands of your customers in today’s fast-paced world, keep a few reminders in mind:
- Mission – First and foremost, what is your mission as a small business? Clearly defining that mission for both your team and your customers should always be a priority and be provided as a reminder. For example, if you are in the transportation business, do you feel like you meet your daily responsibilities of getting passengers where they need to go? Whether you are a provider such as RideCell or others in the business, your number one task is always meeting customer demands. In this case, delivering them to their destinations in a timely and courteous manner are the goals you strive for. Keep in mind that millions of consumers are on-the-go daily across America. As such, promising to get them from Point A to Point B in a timely manner is something you must take very seriously. Along with the physical act of doing so, also invest heavily in the communication aspect, allowing for a better understanding of how people can get where they need to go. By making your mission known and following it daily, you stand a much better chance of being around for the long haul;
- Delivery – Whether in the transportation business or countless other industries, delivering on what you say you will provide is crucial. Companies oftentimes get their reputations by the customer service they deliver (or do not in some cases). As a result, it is important to stay as true as possible to your word. Failure to do so can result in consumers losing faith in you as a business. When that happens, all you’ve worked for over the years in building your business can be lost rather quickly. If you are having trouble meeting your customer demands, take a step back and asses why this is. Are you understaffed to meet their demands? Have you promised more than you can in fact deliver? Is it possible you have grown your business too quickly and do not have all the necessary resources in place? By looking at what you said you’d deliver and what you actually are delivering, you can best meet customer expectations.
Always Review Your Services
- Assessment – How often do you review your business practices? For some business owners, this is one area of importance that falls through the cracks. Some businesses fall into that complacency zone, thinking their customers will never go somewhere else with their money. In fact, that is one of the worst business practices to adopt. Always take the time to assess and reassess how your business model is (or isn’t) working;
- Technology – Lastly, are you truly embracing technology in today’s digital age? As mentioned earlier, from using it in your daily customer service initiatives to putting it to work in promoting your brand, you simply have to be as mobile as possible. Going back to the transportation business example a few moments ago, those in this industry have to use technology minute-by-minute, making sure delivering customers to their destinations is occurring. If you’re in this line of work, always be looking out for how new technology can make your customers’ lives (and yours for that matter too) better.
As you head into 2017, will your small business be even more mobile for the sake of your customers and your ultimate survival?
About the Author: Dave Thomas covers small business topics on the web.