Offering amazing customer service is important if you want to retain customers and grow your business. If you treat your customers well and keep them satisfied, they will maintain a relationship with your company and will recommend you to their friends. It's important to remember that without someone to buy your goods and services, your business will not survive.
It’s often said that it’s cheaper to keep existing customers than to find new ones. And it’s true: Bad customer service is a key driver of churn. The U.S. Small Business Administration reports that 68% of customers leave because they’re upset with the treatment they've received. Don’t let that happen to you. Prioritizing customer service helps you attract and retain loyal customers, and can have a big impact on your company’s bottom line.
It’s no surprise that as today’s social, mobile consumers have grown accustomed to getting what they want, when they want it, their expectations have risen accordingly. What’s more, today’s customers are quick to share negative experiences online, where they can quickly reach large audiences. It’s more important than ever to support customers on every channel from day one and establish what good customer service looks like internally and externally.
Companies also need to find vendors who understand their unique needs, rules and ethics, and then nurture that relationship. Learn the best ways to find good vendors and manage the vendor relationship, regardless of the size or function of your business. When you manage vendors well, they perform well and can save your company money, time, and hassles. And if you create long-term relationships with vendors, they can be integral to your success.
Ultimately, you want to create satisfying, ongoing relationships with customers and vendors. If those relationships are successful, both customers and vendors will feel validated, valued, and invested in your business.
