We tend to think that it’s the strength and execution of our ideas that’ll determine our long-term business prospects. And it is, of course, true that those things are the most important. But are they the most important aspects? We don’t think so. That honor belongs to the trust that is held between you and your customers. Without it, you’re not going to progress very far. And alas, it’s not something that is unconditional; it’s something that can easily be lost. Below, we take a look at four things that’ll prompt your customers to lose faith in you.
The Runaround
You wouldn’t trust someone who seemed like they wanted to hang out with you but then would never answer your calls. Too many companies are guilty of making it extra difficult to talk with them, until it comes to cancellation, at which point there is, suddenly, a person on the other end of the phone. It’s always worth keeping in mind that business is just about people talking to one another in various forms. So don’t be elusive — it is not a strong look and raises too many concerns in the minds of the customer.
Inconsistent Pricing
You can’t trust someone if they’re just going to tell you what you want to hear, or what they think they can get away with. When it comes to your pricing model, it’s imperative that you’re offering the same deals to everyone. Of course, there will be variables in price, but if you’re offering the same product or service to two companies, they should get the same price. Also, don’t try and sneak in extra money for your business. Some companies offer their “best price,” and then later off a further discount off in order to get more orders. So why say the first was your best price? It’s an underhand tactic that other businesses and customers don’t like.
Low Quality Materials
If you’re going to sell someone something, you better make sure that it’s a good quality product. There are ways to save money by cutting corners in business, but not when it comes to your materials. There’s nothing worse than buying a product that seems well-designed, but which has been built with materials that were not designed to last. Once you’ve finalized your product, you’ll need to measure product durability. This will help to flag up any issues before the item is in the hands of your customers.
Washing Hands
It’s all good and well being there for someone when everything is going well. It’s when problems arise when support really counts. So take a look at your company: how are you handling problems? If your current method is to simply do the bare minimum and hope it goes away, then you’ll need to review. The problem might go away, but so will the customer, since they know that you can’t be trusted anymore. You’ve got a duty to ensure that everyone that interacts with your company is happy with the level of service.
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