You probably don't think about termites all that often. I know I don't. However, on the drive home last week I heard a Terminix radio ad stating that I have a 3 times greater chance of my home getting infested with termites in Austin (where I live) than in other cities. Terminix's advertisement … [Read more...]
Weekend Reading – April 28th
Jack Hightower of CarMax -- Service Untitled has a great two part interview with CarMax's VP of Sales. I've had two wonderful experiences in buying cars at CarMax and will probably buy my future vehicles from them as well. This interview gives some great insights into CarMax's secrets to … [Read more...]
Happy Second Birthday Return Customer!
Return Customer is 2 years old! The past year has seen my readership double due to your support, comments, and links. Thank you! Looking back at this past year I found some interesting data on how people arrive at this site and which posts were the most popular. Top 5 Most Read Posts Based on … [Read more...]
How to Prepare Customers for Price Changes
I got our AT&T Yahoo! internet bill this week and noticed my rates had jumped. I was surprised ... and that is not a good thing. You never want your customers to be surprised by a rate or price increase. Pleasantly surprise them all you want with price decreases, but when you're taking more … [Read more...]
Weekend Reading – April 21st
Do you want customers? -- Why do businesses ignore prospective customers? You may be too busy today but what about next month when you really need the business? Responding positively to prospects builds both long term loyalty and a potential referral source. CEO as Customer Evangelist -- … [Read more...]
Who will win? Customers vs. Company Policy
Are your managers undermining the work of their subordinates? Does your company really put the customer first? Sears provides us a great example of what not to do: This past weekend we went to Sears to buy a dishwasher. The sales associate, Brandi, was very pleasant and knowledgeable. She … [Read more...]
Using Superlatives for Fun and Profit
A simple grammatical trick can make you stand out among your competition. Well, at least until they do the same thing! Take a look at these slogans you've probably seen in the mass media. SBC: "Fastest internet in Austin for the price" Sprint: "The most powerful network" Verizon: … [Read more...]
How to Get Customers to Take Your Recommendations
I recently went to AutoZone, an auto parts store, to buy some new wiper blades for my car. My interaction with the sales person shows how effective recommendations can be delivered to your customers. Establish Trust I asked the employee to help me find which blades I needed. He looked my car up … [Read more...]
Are ads derailing your web application conversion rates?
I saw a new online task management application this week called HiTask. The first time I visited their site I noticed they had Google Ads across the top of their pages: Google was so adept at matching the keywords of the site with ad links that I was seeing ads like "Tasks" and "Task … [Read more...]
Make the First Contact with Customers Golden
Today's article is from guest author Margaret McCaffrey A friend of mine recently changed jobs. When I rang to congratulate her on her new position I wondered if I’d swapped planets. The receptionist at her new job couldn’t have been nicer, indicating in a pleasant tone that they were … [Read more...]
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