Most businesses aspire to be indispensable. Here are 5 tips that make you stick.
By James Kerr
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “indispensable” as being absolutely necessary and not subject to being set aside or neglected. Wouldn’t you like to become indispensable to your customers? Sure, you would! Of course, there’s not one sure fire formula to follow to become indispensable. However, you can do some things to improve your chances to “stick” with your customers.
Tips to Become Indispensable:
1. Put Your Clients First:
This is an easy principle to embrace. If you do this, you’ll likely to inspire your clients to grow a fondness for your commitment to their cause–whatever that cause may be.
2. Anticipate and Solve Problems Before They Become “Big Hairy” Monsters
In order to do this, you absolutely have to understand your customer and be able to empathize with their situation. Demonstrate that you’re someone that customers can count on by anticipating and solving their problems. It will establish a level of intimacy that is tough to match.
3. Provide Honest Feedback
It’s amazing how many service providers are unwilling to provide their customers with honest feedback. Driven from fear of offending or a conflict avoidance inclination, these firms are doing a huge disservice to their customers. In fact, most customers will appreciate your honesty and give you respect for you for telling them the truth.
4. Keep Your Promises
This is absolutely essential to building the intimacy that you need to become indispensable. If they can’t trust you, they don’t need you. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
5. Do More Than You Promised
Going above and beyond the call of duty is sure fired way to make your client reliant on what you bring to the party, and, the greater reliance the more “sticky” you become. As mentioned above, people want to work with people that they can trust and rely on. Doing more than what is asked is a way to exhibit your pledge to your client’s success.
To close, every business aspires to become indispensable to their customers. I know that Indispensable Consulting seeks that level of customer intimacy with every client. Indeed, I know that we practice the principles outlined above that’s what makes us Indispensable. So, give these ideas a try. I bet that they’ll help you to become indispensable, too!
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Originally publish on Inc.com
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