Each of us has a handful of businesses that have become indispensable in our lives. Imagine how you’d feel if you were told, “You’re no longer allowed to engage with them, ever”? For a lot of people the answer to this question contains a few familiar names including: Apple, Starbucks, Nordstrom, and Amazon, not to mention various beloved local establishments. These entities all share one common trait: consistent customer satisfaction.
These companies maintain standards that instill such deep loyalty in you, to the point that they become a part of your everyday life. This is the essence of brand power and loyalty. Achieving a level of devotion where customers feel they can’t live without your brand essentially makes price a non-issue. The critical attributes that define a business as indispensable include:
- Superior service and products
- Reliability
- Simplicity in transactions
- Advocacy by employees
- Focus on educating rather than selling
- Tailored experiences
6 Ways to Become a Top Customer Service Company
1. Superior Service and Products
It’s fundamental that your offerings are exceptional. Yet, interestingly, excellence in service or product often doesn’t top the list of reasons for customer loyalty. If a company solely relies on their product or service for differentiation, they’re on shaky ground. In today’s market, any product or service can quickly become commoditized.
2. Reliability
This cannot be stressed enough. Above all, customers crave consistency. They want brands to excel at the basics. Reliability fosters customer satisfaction and loyalty. Forget the fancy extras; just ensure every interaction is dependable, precise, friendly, and consistent, regardless of location or employee.
3. Simplicity in Transactions
Consider the ease of dealing with companies like Amazon, Zappos, Nordstrom, and Uber. Amazon has mastered the art of convenience, from one-click shopping to hassle-free returns and exemplary customer support. These companies understand the importance of customer-friendly policies and the value of straightforward communication. How does your company measure up in making life easier for your customers?
4. Advocacy by Employees
Leading brands are supported by employees who are passionate about their work and the brand itself. This enthusiasm is palpable when you interact with employees at premier brands; they genuinely enjoy discussing and recommending products. Their loyalty to the brand translates into customer loyalty.
5. Focus on Educating Rather Than Selling
The most successful brands build loyalty and achieve high satisfaction rates by training their staff to educate customers, rather than pushing sales.
6. Tailored Experiences
Starbucks customers, for example, often have a very specific order, showcasing the brand’s ability to cater to individual preferences. With over 80,000 possible drink combinations, Starbucks makes ordering personalized and simple.
How can your business become a beloved brand?
Consider these six key areas that make a business indispensable. Conduct an audit of your company’s performance in each category to identify areas for improvement. Strive to become the brand that your customers cannot live without.
Schedule a complimentary QuickBooks data file review today for a quick and easy QuickBooks health check.