Take a Step Back

The approach of summer and the good weather during this season bring more customers out of their houses and into your winery, store, restaurant or other retail business.  

During the height of the busy season it is often more of a challenge to provide the levels of customer service that encourage people to buy your products or services and to return. To accomplish your sales and service goals during the busy season it helps if, before it starts, you have a plan.  So take a few minutes to create a plan for your sales and service team (if you are an owner or a manager) or for yourself (if you are on the front lines).

How are you going to ensure that each customer is treated well, appreciated and given the attention s/he needs to go away with the opinion that s/he is a valued customer?

Here are a few tips.

Put Your Assumptions On Hold

Unless the person who walks through the door is a regular customer try not to make assumptions about who they are, what they may or may not know or whether they will buy or not.

Give The Customer A Chance To Talk

Ask the customer questions that will give you the information you need to meet their needs and expectations.  When you are giving the customer the answers to their questions, you can also work in how you can fulfill their needs and expectations.

Make The Customer An Insider

What do you know about your product or service, company or owners that your customer might like to know and pass along to their friends?  Most of us like have information our friends don’t have. Also never underestimate people’s willingness to buy to impress their friends.

Let Customers Know You Like Them

Give your customers something they weren’t expecting.

Let them know you enjoyed their visit.

Thank them for coming

If you have the opportunity walk them to the door.

These are simple tips that will make customers buy from you, return to buy more and recommend your business to their friends.

A tip of the glass from me to you