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Providing quality service to your customers is a key component of running a successful business. When you provide good service, customers will return to your business, as well as refer their family and friends. When you utilize affordable ways of improving your service, you save money, but also make it possible to increase profits.
The first place you can save money is in the hiring process. It can be expensive to recruit, hire, and train new employees, so lowering turnover is important. When hiring customer service staff, try to bring in a mix of people with three to five years of experience as well as those who are new but plan on staying with your company for a few years.
Using targeted marketing is another affordable way to improve your service. Instead of sending brochures or catalogs to your customers in a mass mailing, use smaller mailings that are targeted to specific groups of customers. For example, if you own a pet store and you are having a sale on cat supplies and toys, send a mailing that is targeted only to customers who are cat owners. This type of targeted marketing can result in significant savings for your business.
Feedback from your customers is easy to obtain and is an affordable way to improve your service. Add free online surveys to your company’s website.
Another way to obtain feedback is to place a suggestion box in your store. Have forms for customers to fill out, telling you what is working and where improvements might be needed.
