Customer contact is essential in a fast paced business world. Many professionals and small businesses live off their customer contact but to many it is ad hoc and with too much strategy. Many still find it difficult to set up a strategy that will make life easier for them and better for their clients. The following points will provide and framework and kick start to those wishing to bite the bullet and create a process that is both positive and profitable.
1. Develop a 12 month Customer Contact Plan
a. Creating such a plan provides you with a broader view and allows you to 'see' where your activity time is being spent.
b. To enhance the plan consider using 'colour codes' to identify areas of commonality and where leverage can be gained.
2. Identify customer 'types' and market accordingly
a. By 'grouping' client types you will be able to market more effectively and also begin to know where your business comes from.
b. This will also allow you to reactrespond differently and with 'intention' to each group.
3. Complete standard items in 'chunks' to save time and increase visibility
a. Identify items like writing out cards (birthday Cheap NFL Jerseys , Christmas, other seasonal cards) and take the time to write them all out at one time.
b. This will save time in the long run.
c. Sort each card into date order and place in tickler file. When the day arrives (or a week prior) send out the card.
4. Invest in technology to automate newslettersmessages
a. There is considerable technology that can automate messages for you. Investigate some of these.
b. These will allow you to write a few regular newsletter at once and then set them up to go out at regular intervals.
5. Create 'contact points' throughout the year
a. Key clients may require a visit, an extra call or a personal note. Diarise appropriate times up front so you are well prepared.
6. Set reminders for key actions so nothing falls through the cracks
a. Set up reminder times for cards Cheap Jerseys China , anniversaries etc. This will remove the requirement to remember.
7. Set up templates for standard activities
a. On reviewing your plan, you will see a lot of dates and activities. Identify those that require an invite and set this up now, so there is no pressure to do it when the time comes.
8. Create a simple yet effective loyalty program
a. Loyalty programs don't have to be complex. A simple Cheap Jerseys , graded points system is all it takes. (Check with your Accountant as to allowances if necessary.)
9. Create standard surveys (automated) that seek client feedback
a. Surveys (on- and off-line) are tremendous methods for gaining feedback and testimonials.
b. There are many web-tools that can automate these for you, or you can create your own and do it manually.
c. Either way ? do it!
10. Request 'testimonials' at key points of interaction.
a. Testimonies are powerful tools for your business. They convince others far quicker than we can when we promote our own product.
11. Engage a third party for accountability
a. Take the time to have a third party review your plan with you every 6 ? 12 weeks. The benefit is significant.
Listen for those who think running a franchise company is easy let me tell you what. It would be easier to run the War in Iraq or Iran than to run a franchise company in 110 cities, 460 units in 23 states and 4 countries. In fact I bet the President's job is easier than mine was. In fact I'd bet on it. You see each time you open a new market; you have new problems and just when you think you have it all figured out Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap , there is another one. ?Controlled Chaos? is more descriptive term than franchise management?
No wonder there are only 2000 Franchise companies in the entire United States of America. But you know what, it is fun as hell. I mean where else can you play at break neck speed with your balls to wall with afterburners blazing and the whole country as your playground. Whooo Ya! Indeed, what a friggin rush that was.
Here is an example of the kind of stuff that goes on in a franchise company Wholesale NFL Jerseys Online , sure this is a more robust example of the controlled chaos I talk about, but it gives you the picture of what a franchisor founder must deal with in a small up and coming company. This is an email I got from a franchisee who was in New Jersey and moved his business back to partner with his brother in Colorado, they bought four territories. Read it and you tell me?
?We need suppliers in our franchise areas. Is there not a nationwide company that can supply us? Maybe each franchisee needs to be set up as a distributor so they can get products in bulk at wholesale prices. We had to pay over $50 for a box of Simonize truck and bus wash for fleet vehicle cleaning and the only reason we did it was we were in AZ and the trainers said it was the best. It works Wholesale NFL Jerseys Free Shipping , but the price-OW! Who knows, maybe that's a good price, but in the startup phase Wholesale NFL Jerseys From China , picking products or pricing them is that last thing on one's mind and its confusing. Added to this, we never got our start-up package, had to ask many times for items we were supposed to get with our franchise (i.e. sweatshirts Wholesale NFL Jerseys China , software). They shipped it to our house but we did not get the message on our home answering machine. To add to the confusion, Jason and Rand [fill in trainers regular trainer sent to Kosovo last minute National Guard Duty] weren't using most of the products they got in their start up kit, though they dutifully explained what they got and then why they used something else and why they thought it was better. Too many choices.
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24.02.2020 03:27
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