This is a subtle little stradegy that can make a big difference. Try to stop using the word 'customer'and start using the word 'client'.
Why? Because the word customer implies that they simply buy things from you. But the word client implies a close relationship in which you help the client.
It will change the way you and your employees perceive those that do business with you. After all, your clients are your most valuable asset in business. Without them you would be up the creek.
Start using the word client with your employees, in your flyers, and letters. Make your employees start using the word client.
Your clients are people that you care about and want to help. Customers are just people who buy from you and may or may not buy from you again.
Think of other businesses that use the word client. Why?
This is just a mental thing of course. But whats between our ears is what often times makes the biggest impact in our business.
Tell me what you think!!!
-------------------- Great White Signs Logan, Ohio
"All signs now come with new and improved vinyl." jimw@1067wwtl.com
posted
I only have clients and have never referred to anyone as a customer. When selling a Killerkart, I refer to persons as potential friends because I know thats they will become after buying and using one.
I may sound a little eccentric at times but I always take care of my clients and never have to worry about another striper offering more than I do, as my service is second to none.
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
posted
Probably a matter of semantics really but... I had this discussion with my brother in law who is a solicitor, he was adamant that only "professionals" such as doctors, lawyers etc have clients. In his book all others have customers. This post rekindled my interest in this discussion from some time ago so I looked it up in my trusty MacQuarie dictionary with the following result: client /n. 1. One who applies to a solicitor for advice or commits his cause or legal interests to a solicitor's management. 2. One who employs or seeks advice from a professional adviser. 3. A customer. 4. Anyone under the patronage of another; a dependant 5. A recipient of social welfare payment.
Man I wish I'd had this dictionary with me at the time of the discussion. He can look forward to being unmercilessly corrected the next time we meet.
David
-------------------- David Fisher D.A. & P.M. Fisher Services Brisbane Australia da_pmf@yahoo.com Trying out a new tag: "Parents are the bones on which children cut their teeth Peter Ustinov
Posts: 1450 | From: Brisbane Queensland Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I see the difference between customer/client as dependent on what's being sold, product or service. A client is someone you design and print a t-shirt for. A customer is someone who picks the t-shirt off a rack of shirts and buys it without saying a word.
-------------------- Compulsive, Neurotic, Anti-social and Paranoid ... but basically Happy Posts: 2677 | From: Rochester, NY, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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