7 Things Your Customers Wish You Knew About Them

A busy work environment may occasionally blind business owners to the needs of their customers, but these needs extend beyond the routine products and services they regularly purchase into areas like customer service, convenience and attentiveness. Here are some of the key factors your clients take into consideration when seeking help from small business owners.

Make them feel like they matter

Your customers’ sense of self-worth plays a central role in your business's long-term success. Show them how much they’re valued by remembering and calling them by name each time they visit. Other ways to show clients how important they are is through rewards programs and by offering price breaks to those who provide steady business or provide referrals.

Acknowledgment is essential

For many customers, being heard provides a strong indicator that your business really cares. People appreciate prompt responses so it’s important to genuinely listen to both positive and negative feedback. Use online surveys, focus groups, social media, website forms and other means to connect with customers. Keep in mind that disregarding feedback can lead to a negative reputation and eventual profit loss.

Good service is better than fast service

While a quick response should always be the goal, the average customer prefers good service over a fast, but subpar resolution. A major reason customers abandon a brand is because of rushed service that is incompetent or incomplete. Take the time to ensure that you’ve fully met your customer’s expectations, ask if there is anything else you can do to assist, and always strive to go the extra mile.

Personalization counts

Sometimes, one size doesn’t fit all. Does your business adjust and adapt to meet the needs of your clientele? For instance, do your products come in enough shapes, and sizes? Are your services available at “standard”, “premium” and “elite” levels? Many businesses allow customers to add personal touches to or even design their own products, which often increases their overall satisfaction. This works especially well with handmade crafts, clothing, and food items. Take customization to the next level by leveraging user feedback and short questionnaires, which will give you a better understanding about your customer's preferences.

Offer rewards

Everyone enjoys a pleasant surprise, especially when it provides a financial benefit. An unexpected reward can evoke positive feelings, elevate you over competitors and encourage repeat business. Delight customers with time of purchase discounts, free shipping, or a small complimentary item and they are likely to remember the experience, refer you to friends and colleagues, and reward you with additional business in the future.

Simplicity is key

With our mobile society and increased demands for instant gratification, efficiency has become more crucial than ever. Customers are not only seeking the best value, but also the most time-saving and hassle-free opportunities. Think of all the areas where your business can be made simpler. Replace any paperwork your customers might be saddled with (such as registration forms, mail-in rebates or hard copy manuals and instructions) with online alternatives. Bundle services or provide them a la carte, whichever is easier for the customer to understand and purchase. Your online presence should follow suit. Email campaigns should have a single focus. Also be sure that all the sections of your website are well organized and intuitive.

Keep things lively

We all need to get things done but there’s nothing wrong with having a good time while doing so. Customers admire a business that takes itself seriously, but also understands that “professionalism” and “boring” are not synonymous. Little things like having pleasant in-store or office background music, a television near the checkout line or interesting decor create a positive customer experience.

Guest Post: How to Buy Used Luxury Watches Online

The internet and the technology that goes with it have lead to the developments in online shopping as we know it today. We can buy almost anything online, and that of course include used luxury watches. The sale of used luxury watches is big business and the competition among dealers is fierce.


So how does one choose a dealer if one wants to purchase a vintage or antique timepiece online?

You will find many websites claiming specialty in selling used luxury watches. Some specialisations are more general, while others are more specific, such as those specialising in only a particular brand, for example. There are others that satisfy what we would call a niche market. These include vintage watch dealers or antique watch specialists. Even though this is somewhat of a niche market there are a number of sellers trading on and off-line and the numbers increase everyday. So how does one choose a dealer if one wants to purchase a vintage or antique timepiece online?

Some people are sceptical about buying online because they are of the opinion that it is easier to verify the credibility of an on-site seller than that of an online one. This is not necessarily the case; the credibility of a business or a dealer is just as important whether they operate on or off-line. The serious online watch dealer is keen on delivering quality timepieces and excellent customer service, because they know that their viability will depend on this. As such you will find a number of reputable and honest vintage watch dealers online. However, not all will deliver the same quality standard or provide you with a memorable shopping experience. Here are some things to consider and look for when buying vintage used luxury watches online:

1. The refund policy outlined - are the terms reasonable? If a dealer does not accept returns, this is not the company you should want to do business with. Usually a dealer that is willing to accept a no quibble refund is one that is probably very confident in the quality product that they sell.

2. Have customers constantly complained? Look at the level of complaints, are you seeing many complaints about this business or many negative reviews? The reality is that no business will be able to please customers all of the time, but they should be able to satisfy a large majority of their customers more often not.

3. Ask questions about the used luxury watches, see how quick or how accurate the response is.

4. Can you readily identify the owners or managers of the business? You should be able to do this - look at the 'about us' page - the information should be there. The vintage watch dealer should be readily identifiable.

5. It also helps if the dealer, even though operating online, has an on-site base or office attached to a legitimate address.

6. Where payment is made online with the use of a credit card, especially when paying on the dealer's website, always look for 'https' at the beginning of the address, in the address bar, on the payment page. If this is not present, it would be advisable not to go through with the purchase. PayPal is however always a good option, whether you are connecting from the seller's website or not.

7. Is the dealer experienced? Especially where it concerns vintage used luxury watches you want to buy from someone who has experience and knows about used luxury watches.

Taking the above into consideration should help you in making a good vintage watch purchase - whether for purpose of a gift, for your own pleasure or as an investment. Happy shopping.

Why Being Risk Averse Is Risky

Have you ever heard a business success story that did not involve risks? Entrepreneurs have to bet big to win big, and the tales of many breakthrough companies include a chapter in which the founder almost loses everything. The ones who find a way through the dark times end up seeing the largest returns. Those who are risk averse create the lowest ceiling for a new venture.

The importance of thinking big

Building a new product may require the use of materials not in mass production. Therefore, betting big on the concept may involve making a side bet on suppliers helping send your goods to market. Large corporations can afford to invest in other companies to help them grow, but entrepreneurs have to find a more creative solution.

The Tesla Motors creation story offers a few examples of how this dynamic works. Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, had to depend on foreign battery suppliers when starting his electric car company. Without assuming a high level of innovation and adequate production of elements out of his control (a risky proposition), the automaker could not put these vehicles on the road. When the company found success with the Model S, starting the company's own battery facility became possible. Now, Tesla has its sights set on the mainstream automobile market with its Giga battery factory.

Risk averse at its riskiest

According to The Wall Street Journal, avoiding risk was a key factor behind the slow economic recovery after The Great Recession and the downturn the United States experienced in 2001. Companies held onto cash reserves rather than investing in new employees and technology. Investment groups were equally sheepish about backing entrepreneurs who sought funding to start new projects. As a result, the pace of added jobs and localized business booms was slower than it had been during periods of economic strength.

Data collected after the recession also revealed that employees were taking fewer risks in the workplace. Rather than leaving a dead-end job to plunge into a more lucrative job market, many workers chose to stick with their jobs in the past decade. This trend seemed prudent in a time when many people lost their jobs, but it does not reflect the culture of optimism, in which risk takers increasingly find success. Betting small and winning in small increments has not been the approach of any success story.

Risks worth taking

Small business owners are right to be risk averse when their life savings are on the line and their family's future is at stake. Identifying which risks are worth taking is the key to winning these big bets. For example, if you have done the research and know your product can penetrate the market upon arrival, taking on debt is not as risky as it may seem in the moment.

Alternative forms of financing, like using Kabbage to secure a loan, are worth your attention, as well. Whether you take on a loan or dive into the world of crowdfunding, this may be the financial boost you need to get that business idea off the ground. Sometimes, considering what you stand to win is more important than dwelling on what you stand to lose.

Being risk averse is a necessary trait for smart business owners. However, you cannot let your company be held back by a fear of all risks. Use these tips to know when to pick your battles and push your company to new heights.