The least you can do is keep your customers sweet

HOW many times have you have walked into a café or shop only to be greeted by a sour grin and an obviously irritated expel of air asking what you want?

This deplorable kind of customer service is a pet hate of mine. I have worked in a café. I have worked in a shop too, and I know that it is not that difficult a job. The least an employee – or owner for that matter – can do, is be polite and welcoming.

So often, obviously untrained staff completely ignore customers, while they chat and laugh with colleagues. It’s an infuriating situation when you are waiting at the till, with your hard-earned money in hand, ready to buy something from their business.

Failing to make a customer feel welcome and worthy is a fundamental fault of any business that leads to massive losses, yet so many businesses still continue to put themselves above their customers.

Proper training of staff is key to success, be it a dog walker or a nursery school or a supermarket chain. Receiving good service is a delight. So it’s essential to employ staff who are enthusiastic and who actually know what they’re talking about. This will put a smile on a customer’s face and make them WANT to come back and spend more money. Modern customers are smart – if they’re not happy they will pop off to a competitor quicker than you can say, “where are you going?”

Remember the businesses that boast great success often have one thing in common – great customer service.

A tried and tested method of keeping customers happy is rewarding them for their loyalty. Make customers feel special and give them a reason to come back by offering a voucher, a loyalty discount card or special pricing. People love a discount.

For any businesses or small business owners out there… please train staff to know what they are there for and actually attend to customers. While for all you customers, if businesses continue to treat you like dirt, then please… take your money elsewhere.