I’m on the level in my life the place I search to purchase services primarily based largely on the expertise I obtain. There was a time when going out to dinner meant going to locations equivalent to TGI Fridays, however not any longer. At the moment, I hunt down that native spot – you already know, the form of place the place “all people is aware of your title”. The identical goes for motels, journey locations and each different buy I make. For me, it’s in regards to the model story and the consumer expertise. I’m guessing that should you have a look at your individual shopping for habits, you may discover the identical to be true.

I see this want for an distinctive expertise all over the place I flip – and it’s occurring throughout generations as properly. My grown youngsters who’re of their 20s and 30s all search a wealthy consumer expertise … and you’ll guess our purchasers are, too.

Firms equivalent to Amazon and Starbucks are altering consumer expectations. Expertise platforms utilized by at this time’s trendy companies are a key driver in enhancing the consumer expertise. Nonetheless, expertise alone is just not sufficient. 

Main corporations are coupling expertise with a readability of companies and robust relationships to compete and thrive. Consider expertise because the platform that empowers your purchasers. Readability is presenting what you promote in a transparent and concise method, and constructing robust relationships is one thing you already do properly – that’s, personally connecting with every consumer to make them really feel particular. At the moment, a fantastic consumer expertise is outlined by a lot greater than a strong expertise platform.

Given the significance of offering an distinctive consumer expertise in at this time’s market, the query we must be asking ourselves is how does the expertise we offer stack as much as the competitors? 

And, extra to the purpose: What can we do to make it even higher to retain our current purchasers and win new ones? 

What’s the definition of a fantastic consumer expertise? 

Bear in mind, a fantastic consumer expertise isn’t just a pleasant receptionist; it additionally encompasses a lot extra, together with these parts:

• Model: The elemental story of what your agency is and strives to be, which varieties the muse on which your agency stands.
• Model expertise: All the contact factors via which your purchasers work together together with your agency and kind an impression of it, good or unhealthy. Your consumer expertise is a subset of your model expertise.
• Consumer interactions: These make up the “motion” piece of your consumer expertise; some may name it consumer service. It’s the place the rubber meets the street, so to talk. The main focus right here is on catering to your purchasers’ particular must create the very best final result in all interactions.
• Advertising: In my eyes, this implies telling the story of your model and your consumer expertise in a approach that draws the best purchasers to your corporation, and it is important to the general success of your agency.

3 methods to ship distinctive consumer service

Now that we’ve examined what includes the correct of consumer expertise, let’s check out three steps you should utilize to ship one (and nice consumer service) at your agency.

1: Perceive the form of purchasers you need to serve and the companies you need to ship to them

You possibly can’t be all issues to all folks, and, should you strive, it’s unlikely that you can be nice at any of them. You could perceive who you need to serve, and the way you need to serve them, earlier than you may develop a plan to create an unimaginable consumer expertise plan. Know your consumer and what’s essential to them, then develop a plan to excel at each touchpoint.

2: Construct your expertise supply mannequin together with your best consumer in thoughts

I journey commonly, which makes me a really perfect prospect for a lot of airways. I’m loyal to Delta Airways and have elevated standing due to this loyalty, which implies I usually obtain a really passable consumer expertise past the fundamentals, equivalent to having each considered one of their flights take off and land on time. If that had been all that I might count on from Delta, it will not be sufficient for a fantastic consumer expertise, in my eyes.

I would like (and count on) extra from my expertise with Delta. I would like to have the ability to search journeys on-line to search out the flights which might be greatest suited to my schedule. I don’t need to must name a journey agent. I would like to have the ability to check-in utilizing my cell gadget, as a substitute of standing in lengthy traces on the airport. I additionally desire a cell boarding go. If Delta’s expertise supply mannequin didn’t embody all these choices, along with the truth that they take off and land on time, I’d look elsewhere.

Equally, what do your purchasers count on and wish out of your agency? Construct your corporation mannequin primarily based on the form of expertise your best consumer needs from you. It might not be apparent in the intervening time, so you might have to ask them.

3: Develop the staff to ship your merchandise

Notice that I stated merchandise, not companies. Your best purchasers need to purchase options from you, not an hourly service mannequin. When you’ve got a centered set of merchandise designed round a cloud-based anytime, anyplace, any gadget supply system, you may practice your employees to execute primarily based on the expectations you and your purchasers have. So, when you design your options, construct and practice your staff to ship them, setting clear consumer expertise expectations within the course of.

Constructing a greater consumer expertise must be executed by design. Take the time to first design the muse fashioned by your merchandise, best purchasers, supply system and staff, to be able to then focus in your model and consumer expertise. 

Too many corporations by no means take the time to do the foundational work, and due to this fact wrestle with their model and consumer expertise. Nonetheless, should you dedicate the time and imaginative and prescient essential, you can be that a lot nearer to having nice consumer service, an distinctive consumer expertise, and extra of your best purchasers.

A key a part of constructing a really nice consumer expertise is selecting the best expertise to ship it. Learn this put up from Alan FitzGerald, who supplies his tricks to construct an accounting tech stack that solves at this time’s issues and units you up for future success.

Need extra assets that can assist you develop? 

Go to the QuickBooks Progress Hub to browse our number of free guides that may assist you to discover extra purchasers, add new income sources, and construct a future-fit enterprise.