Satisfy My Soul

 

Satisfy My Soul - The Importance of Satisfying Customer's Needs

They say ‘a chef is only as good as his last cook’. 

Let me tell you a story that highlights the importance of this and shows us why listening to your customers is so important.

My wife and I like to go out for a late breakfast occasionally.

Now we could find a place locally that would be adequate, but who ever went out to have an adequate meal?

Locally we've had both good and bad experiences. 

Though we used to enjoy one cafe close by that has a good view, they recently changed chef's and with that change their quality of produce and flavour changed also. 

At our last breakfast there, the mushrooms were tasteless, and the eggs dry and grey.

So we drive 45 minutes away to a location where we know we'll be treated well and have a good meal. Even though this location is more expensive and quite a drive, and just recently increased their costs, we still prefer to eat there.

When we walk in, no matter what time of day, we're greeted with a friendly smile and made to feel welcome.

The coffee is always good and the food fresh. Sure they have had an off day, but the overall service and experience makes up for any problems we've had.

There always seems to be happy regular customers there.

If only every late breakfast looked like this.

We're afraid to try our local bistro for breakfast again and are now questioning our lunch choices there too. Sometimes we'll stop in just for a coffee. But a business can't stay afloat if all its customers only buy coffee.

So what’s the lesson?

If you’re in business - Don’t change quality just to save on costs. If the customers are happy with the regular service and supplies, by all means improve on them - but don’t skimp. A business should establish its standards and ask all staff to fulfill them.

Ask your customers how they think you could improve and listen, but don’t take away from them the very thing they have come to you for.

What else does this teach us?

That people will pay a little extra and go a little further for a  good product and good service. You don’t have to be the cheapest to win customers and keep them coming back. Your customers appreciate your efforts and are willing to pay you for them.

We all like to be treated special. Your customers are no different. So treat everyone who walks through your doors, like it's their first and possibly their last visit. One day, if you don't treat them well, it just might be.

Whether you service cars or serve up breakfast, check every item before it goes out and ask yourself - ‘would I be happy to pay for it’ ?

Because a chef and therefore the business is only as good as their last cook. It can mean losing a customer for life.

Until next time - Have a great day, and make every meeting special.

Fletch is an entrepreneur who has studied, worked and trained in business and customer service for more than 30 years. He is passionate about offering clients the best experience possible and enjoys writing and delivering training on business relations and good customer service.

If you like what you read here - contact Fletch for more. 

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©   FLETCH SAYS 2019