Archive for June, 2009

THE HUMAN TOUCH…

In a world of impersonal and industrialized business, the personal connection with your customers is what brings lasting loyalty and sustained relationships. 

People want good customer service; someone who knows their name, cares about their world and knows what makes them tick. In this fast-paced, highly industrialized society, we gained many things—but in the process, we lost the most important element: that personal touch which causes people to feel connected and known. If your company successfully restores good customer service and the human touch, you will be in business for a long time.

People are bombarded with flashy options, cut throat deals, and a myriad of colorful, quality products to choose from: but the fact is, America is more lonely than ever. The personal touch is what drives people to becoming your loyal customer.

You need to “ping” your customer base at least three times a month in the form of an email, a face-to-face meeting and a handwritten card.  You cannot allow your face and company to be a faceless, distant name on a roster of vendors. It is crucial to your success to be a person.

As your customers long for the human touch, be ready to fill that need with cards, phone calls, lunch appointments and personalized gifts. A calendar, a pen, or some other small gift with your name on it will remind your customer base of your care and concern for them and their business.

As you reach out to your customers not only will your customers feel more connected—so will you.  It’s important to your happiness, too. It helps keep everything in perspective: you aren’t just dealing with invoices and faceless names, but with real people. The tornado of business stress lessens as we step back and realize what really matters in life: connecting with people with that special human touch. It makes life more beautiful and less lonely.

While you can be very creative with your “human touch” (like sending flowers, hosting a customer picnic or sending coffee grounds, along with courtesy cups and condiments, to your customer’s office), cards and personalized items are a good first connection point. Notice there is a button above that says, “Ad Specialities.” Click it to view our huge selection of cards and personalized items that you can order quickly online. 

WHAT MAKES YOU EXCITED?

Here we are again, enjoying another coffee break together. It’s summer, a time where the world explodes with new possibilities. As we sip our coffee, let’s talk about the importance of excitement in the business world.

What makes you excited? Happy customers? Success? Delivering to your customer the very best product? Knowing that you are making a difference in your community?

To be a successful leader in business, being excited about your goals and company is critical.  It’s important to reflect on what makes you excited, why you are in business and what is motivating you to continue. You cannot be successful unless you love your work.

Get an honest assessment from trusted co-workers and friends about your level of excitement for your work. Are you stagnating? Are you in a rut? If you are in a rut, chances are very good your employees are also in a rut. Your business is waiting to come alive under excited leadership. Don’t be afraid to step out, flesh out your ideas and pursue your goals with excited purpose.

Your employees and customers feel it when you are enthusiastic and motivated about life and business. John C. Maxwell, known as America’s expert on leadership, says that, “When a leader reaches out in passion, he is usually met with an answering passion.” If you want people to follow you, you need to lead in enthusiasm and excitement.

When excitement and initiative join,  you are on the fast track to success. Theodore Roosevelt, one of the greatest leaders in the United States, said, “There is nothing brilliant or outstanding in my record, except perhaps this one thing: I do the things that I believe ought to be done… And when I make up my mind to do a thing, I act.” It’s important to lead with initiative and surround  your business with enthusiastic, committed people. Excitement is contagious.

One quick way to gauge your enthusiasm level is to look at your correspondence. Are your emails cold and stiff? Bring fresh life into your business communication. Each correspondence is an opportunity to radiate warmth and optimism, giving you the image of someone who deeply cares and is trustworthy.

It’s always a pleasure sharing a cup of coffee with you. Let’s make this summer the best ever for your company, energizing it with fresh innovation and radiating new enthusiasm.

Click on the link below to hear what makes some of the Rosewood team excited!

june-rosewood-newsletter