Excellence - The Only Standard For Your Business

Excellence - The Only Standard For Your Business
By Jenean Matthews

In the business world, online and offline, the only way
we can stay in business is to attract customers and keep
them. We spend a lot of time advertising, looking for
referrals and promoting to new and current customers.
But what are our customers really looking for?

If you sell software, jewelry, vitamins, books, etcetera,
a customer can purchase these products in a multitude
of places. Why should a customer purchase the product
from you and return to your business for other products?
The answer should be because they can expect excellence
from you.

Excellence is setting high standards for yourself that your
competitors may overlook. You will go beyond the normal
standard of customer service to satisfy your customer. You
will perform at a level higher than the competition. Your
business will be superb.

Can you think of a business that's superb? Can you think
of a time when a business offered you a high quality product
and they went above and beyond what their competitors offered?
What did you do? You probably purchased other products from
them and told your family and friends about the experience.
What are your customers saying about your business and their
experience with you?

If you want your customer to say they were very satisfied,
you have to be willing and determined to raise your standards
and be better today than you were yesterday. Excelling is an
ongoing process that never ends.

How do you start the process?

*Pay Attention To The Details
Imagine you are buying a pair of earrings as a gift. Store A
has what you're looking for in the display cabinet. You ask
to see them, you like them so you make the purchase. The
salesperson puts them in a plastic earring holder and places
them in a paper bag along with the receipt.

Store B has what you're looking for in the display cabinet.
You ask to see them. The salesperson explains the quality
and weight to you so you can make an informed decision.
You like them so you make the purchase. The salesperson
puts them in a beautiful box, offers to gift wrap them for
you, at no extra charge, and puts them in a small gift bag.
She hands you your receipt and cleaning and care instructions
for the earrings.

Which store will you return to for your next purchase?

*Go The Extra Mile
Imagine you just purchased a new computer and you're out
shopping for a certain software product.

You find the product in store A. You ask the salesperson if
it's compatible with what you have on your computer system.
The software product doesn't give that information. The
salesperson doesn't know the answer but tells you if purchase
the product and find out later that it won't work you can return
it within 10 days of purchase if it is unopened.

You find your software at store B. Again, you're not sure of
the compatibility. You ask the salesperson but he doesn't know.
He escorts you to the help desk and asks another salesperson.
She is not 100% sure but thinks it may be compatible. The
salesperson pulls up the software company's web site, finds
out it is compatible, and prints the information for you and
you make the purchase.

Which store will you return to for your next purchase?

*Treat People Like You Want To Be Treated
You expect the best when you are spending you time and
hard-earned money. In turn, you must give your customers
the best. When you set up your business, walk through
the purchasing process your customers will experience from
the moment they click on your web site or drive up to your
place of business. As you go through your purchase process
ask yourself each step of the way, "Is this how I would like
to be treated?" If you get to the point where your answer is no,
make the necessary changes.

-When a customer makes a purchase from you ask them about
their experience.

-Visit chat rooms and bulletin boards where consumers gather
to complain about their shopping experiences. Examine your
business and make sure the same complaints cannot be said
about your company.

-Think of instances when you received excellent treatment
and find ways to incorporate it in your business.

Offer the highest quality, be exceptionally good, go beyond
the norm and show the utmost respect for your customers.
They will return again and again and bring others along with
them.

Excellence - The Only Standard For Your Business © 2000
Jenean Matthews is a businesswoman who believes
in encouraging and helping others to accomplish their
dreams. She believes people can overcome obstacles, rise
to any occasion, and accomplish their entire dream with enough
faith. She can be found accomplishing her dream at
http://www.1stshoppingavenue.com or subscribe to the newsletter
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