From a business perspective, competition has never been fiercer than it is now. Thus, if a company is to succeed, it needs to focus on a wide variety of things. Here are three of the most important ones.
Having the Right Facilities
Nobody likes to walk into a dirty office or shop. Aside from being a sign of disrespect to employees and potential and existing customers alike, it can also be a health hazard. This is especially true in the times we currently live in, times marred by the covid-19 global pandemic and the rising need for ultra-hygienic places that help prevent the spread of this deadly virus.
As a result, one of the best things you can do for your business to stand above the competition is not only making sure all facilities are pristine and well-kept, but they also have the right conditions to conduct business most efficiently and suitably.
For example, if you are working in industries that require warehouses and factories with heavy machinery, it would be in your best interest to have floors coated with urethane, strong and durable walls, and the appropriate ventilation systems. This will protect your employees and give clients and business partners a strong sense of reliability and trust. And when people trust you, they are much more likely to do business with you.
As for regular offices, showrooms, and retail facilities like restaurants and shopping malls, make sure they are well-maintained, well-lit, and organized. These are simple things you can do that will make an enormous difference.
It Starts With Customer Service
No matter how unique the product or service you provide, a few other companies offer their clientele the same thing at a lower price. What this tells us are two essential things. First, people have a choice as it pertains to the products they buy. Second, because of this choice, they have the option of switching to a different provider, one that will better handle their needs.
Of course, a good product will always be a good product, and a bad one will always be a bad one. Still, we live when technology has developed to such an extent that differences in quality are now minimal. In the eighties, nineties, and early two-thousands, Japanese and German cars, home appliances, and pretty much every else were better than the competition. Today, Chinese and Korean firms are manufacturing goods with similar levels of quality and performance.
As such, the only way your organization can widen the gap with its competitors is by focusing on the provision of exceptional customer service. Examples include friendly, welcoming faces to visitors, staying true to your word in terms of delivery dates and deadlines, and creating a long-term partnership with your customers, one that doesn’t see making a profit as its sole and ultimate goal but rather the building of mutually beneficial relationships that drive both companies and clients forward.
Real Solutions for Real Needs
People don’t want companies to sell things to them and convince them to purchase things they don’t need. After all, few things are worse than a pushy salesman trying to earn a commission by harassing you into buying a new toilet seat, a cigarette holder, a neon cover for your smartphone, or anything in between.
Instead, they want solutions for real human problems, solutions that in today’s fast-paced environment are provided in real-time and with the necessary levels of support. When an individual or business finds a product or service that can do both, selecting the right vendor is indeed a very easy choice to make.
But how does one do this? How can companies cater to specific needs while at the same time maximizing sales and profit? While there are different approaches to these and other pertinent questions, it starts by listening carefully and with empathy to what the customer is telling you. That is the first step.
If an elderly person is looking for a phone only to make calls and send text messages, don’t offer her the most expensive smartphone you can find with unlimited features. Rather, show her something that can do what she wants it to do and is easy to handle. Even if the price is lower, a satisfied customer is oftentimes a repeat customer, and, needless to say, this is better than no customer at all.
If you want to stand out amidst the competition, take the time to make sure your facilities are appropriate for the business you are conducting and offer excellent customer service. Finally, focus on serving needs, not making money. If you do this, your firm is bound to flourish regardless of industry or moment in time.
