Cute Customer Service

A cute way to show your customer you care!

What is customer service?  Well, it's the way we treat our customers, referrals and hostesses.  It's how we relate to them, how we make them feel.   Do we make them feel like they are very special, or do we just splatter our business all over them...you know, sell, sell, sell?  Customer service is built on relationships.   Getting to know your customers and hostesses will reap many benefits in years to come and build referrals.   Remember its all about them! As a business owner, its our job to see to it that we are able to solve the problem that the customer is having.  What are their needs and desires?

So, let say you have a party booked.  You already know the company has set rewards for her if she gets X amount in purchases or sales. But, does that make it personal?   One of the first things to do when you meet with your hostess to give her the party packet, is to sit down with her for a few minutes.  Help her make up her list.  Chat with her, get to  know her and what type of guests she will have.  Help her with a theme (have examples ready!).  Then hand her a little bag with something in it just for her for having the party.  Did you know that by doing this, party retentions are more than 60%?  As you know many hostesses back out for various reasons.  However, by meeting with her personally, and handing her a little gift at the time of your meeting, chances are very good that she will go out of her way to have that party.

What can you hand her?  I use cello bags with cute designs, tied with a matching curly ribbon.  Depending on what you are selling, you can put a couple of small samples inside, with a coupon for a discount on one of the items in the catalog, a piece of candy and some filler.   Does your candle company have small size candles? Does your body care company have sample packets?  So basically, pick a small sample that will fit in the bag, nothing that will break the bank, something specific to your company, and something she will appreciate, along with a coupon, maybe 25% off any item in the catalog or any item over a certain dollar amount, a pen, key chain or piece of candy, and some filler .  Make it cute and inviting.  

Now what about the person you meet when you are out and about.  Do you stand there and just talk about you while throwing a catalog in her face?  How about trying this.  See if you have the solution to her problem, or have something she might be interested in.  How fun for her to receive a little cello bag with your flyer or catalog, small sample - you know, those little sample scent thingies (or pen, key chain, etc), a piece of candy, or discount coupon and your business card handed to her instead of just that catalog!   I have been on the receiving end of this before and have felt the meeting to be very personal, plus it was so much fun opening my little gift!  Would I buy from her?  You betcha! And if I didn't I was sure to pass on her information to a friend. (networking at its finest!)

I have left these little gifts on the table at restaurants for the waitress, for the teller at the bank, for the hair dresser at the salon, etc.   I never spent more than a dollar or two for my little gift.

Customer service is the key to a successful business.   Not only will you have repeat business, but they are going to tell their friends about how nice you were, how you followed up, the cute little gift they got, and how special they were made to feel!   Or not?

By the way, I get all of my bags, ribbons, fillers, boxes and more at Cello In a Box!  Very inexpensive, great quality, excellent service!  

Wishing you  abundant success!

Dressing For Success

The other day I had the privilege of speaking to a wonderful business marketing guru.  I told her that I was invited to speak at a convention..granted it was only for 5 minutes along with other guests...but they decided there was no time for me and one other person because things were not progressing as planned. I had been prepared, got my mini talk all ready for the group and blammo!   Never had a chance.  Her question was, "How were you Dressed?"  Well I had on a skirt below the knee, matching blouse, cute shoes.   She dug a little deeper. What I found out was that even though I was dressed appropriately, it really wasn't shouting 'business professional' all over the place!   So then, what tells people that you are a professional?  How do you dress when you go out in the public eye?  These are things I needed to know!

First of all, I found out that when you are doing your errands, it's important even then to dress for success.  That means no sweats, no jeans and sneakers, no pajama bottoms and a junky ole shirt.  What it means is you can wear jeans on your errands, but dress' em up with nice shoes and a pretty shirt/blouse, maybe a scarf around the neck.   Put on your best face (I don't wear makeup, so I'm sure to have my hair done nicely - combed, barrettes, what have you.    If you are working at an expo or speaking somewhere, dress in business casual unless it's a dress up affair.  Business casual can be Khaki pants, nice shirt, blazer, nicer shoes (not sneakers), light makeup (look your natural best!).  Or some may choose a business suit with skirt or pants and blazer works well too.   

Then, what about your attitude?  Did you know that how you feel about yourself on the inside shows all over your face?  Hold your head high, believe in yourself, and SMILE!  After all, you are in business, you want to give your prospective customers the right influence.  You are successful. First impressions can make or break future decisions.  And be yourself!   Show  your customers you care...after all its all about them, right?  Be attentive, be a good listener and see what their needs are. (more on these subjects later!)

Anyhow, after all was said and done, I really thought about my little outfit and honestly, I looked 'cute' but not professional.   I'm learning so much every day about how to be professional.  And I'm working to dress appropriately when I am out and about or doing lectures.

Spring Cleaning

Ahhhh spring time!  A time of new beginnings AND spring cleaning!   I don't know about you, but I get that urge once I can start opening up windows and letting the fresh air in.   We know the rest of the house, windows, floors, etc. get some attention, but do you actually take a look at your business area as one that needs a sprucing up as well? By the way, this isn't my desk area, but truthfully, there have been times it was close to this!

Most of us make our New Year's Resolutions, and then get everything set up with our business.   Then time goes on, and things get a little disheveled and disorganized.   You know how it is, you know you had that memo about calling someone about your business or products, but you just can't find it under all the clutter!

One thing that has helped me tremendously are those little desktop organizers.  One nice thing about desk organizers is that they are small enough to fit on a desktop but have nice little cubbies to put different items in.  Maybe you might have one for payments, one for catalogs, one for certain forms, etc.  Label them so they are easy to figure out what is in there.   One thing I love is to make it cute and a happy place to be. For example, my pen container is flowery, and I have a couple of flower pens in there to brighten things up.  Maybe a family picture.  Or a special motto hanging on the wall in front of you as a motivator.  I have a tropical picture my uncle painted hanging on the wall in front of my face. This not only reminds me of him, but also helps me remember the reason I am working - to be able to travel to wonderful tropical locations and some day to live on or near a beach. 

The biggest thing is to clean off the desk and dust it and the electronics around it.   Add ink where needed in printers, add paper in printers and copiers..Basically, freshen up!  Don't ignore that keyboard!  It can collect a lot of dust (and food!).  Keep papers organized in filing cabinets, file folders, etc.  

An organized desk/office makes life easier, makes it less stressful of an environment and helps you do your job more efficiently, which then flows through to your attitude with  your customers.   After all, great customer service is key to any business.   Being happy and unstressed in your work station will help you be the best you can be!