Good Customer Service = Building Relationships

The following is a guest post by Aaron D. Rose

I am sure all of us eat at restaurants where the food may not be the best, but the customer service is outstanding. Perhaps we may pay more for a particular hotel because of the service that is provided. Despite the economic recession, we purchase our clothes at retail stores that may have prices compared to their competitors, but we feel "good" about making the purchase. The need for businesses to remain competitive is imperative to surviving the economic recession. While pricing is one way to create a comparative advantage, companies with exceptional customer service are positioned well to survive and grow when the economy recovers.

I watch the trends to see how businesses are coping with the down economy. Walk down any street in the United States and you will see businesses in all sectors struggling or worse yet, gone out of business. However, many businesses across America are not only surviving, but they are actually seeing increases in their revenue. What is the difference between failure and success? The difference often lies in the relationships businesses establish with their customers.

Good customer service is the result of establishing relationships with clients and patrons. After a purchase, retail businesses may want to send an e-mail message to the customer with a survey and a discount for their next purchase. I respect restaurants where I am greeted with a "hello," the manager is walking the floor asking about my dining experience, and I am thanked by the staff for my business. I travel often and I appreciate when the airline expresses their gratitude for my business. Good customer service is building relationships with your customers.

Aaron D. Rose is an entrepreneur and president of Rose Consulting, a global strategic planning and international growth management company. For more information about Rose Consulting, please visit http://www.roseconsult.com or http://www.aarondrose.blogspot.com.