Advice for leaders who lead a company and desire to have longevity in the market place.

When doing business, it can be easy to find yourself lost when acquiring new customers, especially when resources are tight. This can make it difficult to focus on new business opportunities. A tip that can make it easy to overcome this, is to create processes that will demonstrate gratitude from customers you gain. A smile and a well-intentioned thank you is a key aspect of building a relationship together.

Cazarin Interactive has been in business for over twenty years, and through that time, we have acquired very loyal customers who have been with us for as long as eighteen years. From the beginning of any new business relationship, we state our intent for it to be a long-term relationship, and by doing this, we get to know our customers on a personal and professional level. This is solid backing to a relationship providing the opportunity to reach out to them and offer help if they need it, or ask for help if you need it. Without a good base on your relationship, this wouldn’t be possible.

Here are some ideas to help you gain goodwill if it is done sincerely.

• Hand Written Cards:

  Purchase unique cards or well-designed cards custom to your brand.  Create a hand-written note to say thanks for the business on the customer’s anniversary or wish them a happy birthday and include multiple team members that are involved in their account. 

• Public Relations:

  Include customers in public relations of your company and build your joint success as part of your brand. In all you do, remember to thank them for helping you succeed.

• Free Token:

  If you’re able to, offer a free small service if you hear they could use some extra help.

• Case Study:

  While developing a case study to showcase services you’ve provided, be sure to include a thank you, and use this platform as an opportunity to showcase your customer as well.

• Milestones:

  Celebrate their milestones alongside them – for us, this includes celebrating the successful deployment of campaigns and websites.

• VIP:

  Create a VIP program for your customers, giving perks to the top 20% of your customers.

• Donate to a Cause in their Name:

  Once you get to know them and their priorities, you can donate to a cause in their name.

Below are some reflections on kindness from leaders in various industries that have resonated with me.

“Politeness goes far, yet costs nothing.” – Samuel Smiles

“You must earn the right to continued relationships with customers.” – Jeanne Bliss

Customer Appreciation Quotes:

“We’re living in what I like to call the ‘Thank You Economy,’ because only the companies that can figure out how to mind their manners in a very old-fashioned way — and do it authentically — are going to have a prayer of competing.” – Gary Vaynerchuk

“A thousand words will not leave so deep an impression as one deed.” – Henrik Ibsen

“Politeness goes far, yet costs nothing.” – Samuel Smiles

“People will forget what you said. They will forget what you did. But they will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

“Your company’s most valuable asset is how it is known to customers.” – Brian Tracy

“You must earn the right to continued relationships with customers.” – Jeanne Bliss

“Goodwill is the only asset that competition cannot undersell or destroy.” – Marshall Field