“If you’re always in a hurry, always trying to get ahead of the other guy, or someone else’s performance is what motivates you, then that person is in control of you.” Dr. Wayne Dyer
Dr. Wayne Dyer
First, I’m going to admit that I don’t do New Year’s resolutions. I do make changes in my thinking and in my life, but rarely are they associated with the start of a new year. So I’m just going to call this a thought provoking message to begin 2012.
The past few years have been challenging for some of my clients. In business school they teach us to watch our competition carefully so we know why a customer may be putting that dollar in their register and not ours. What works for them? Are they cheaper? Do they deliver? Do they have better service or products? Do they have a better location? Are they spending more on advertising? Are they a big chain buying at a lower price point because of volume?
Stop.
Don’t hide your head in the sand, but today, think about what Dr. Dyer has to say. Focus less on what your competition is doing and more on what makes you and your customer happy. What are you doing so well that they keep coming back for more? Why are you different? Are you doing everything you can do to make your customer’s experience as amazing as it should be?
As an agency, it’s hard for me to say this but it IS the truth. There’s no amount of advertising you can do that can generate business if your house isn’t in order. Advertising may get the customer in the door, but if they aren’t happy with their experience, they won’t be back and will probably tell 10 friends (or 300 on Facebook or Twitter.)
Slow down, focus on your own house, be happy with what you do well and give your staff incentives to be the best hosts/hostesses they can to each and every person who calls or walks through the door. Get control.
Then, spend money on advertising.
