If you’ve ever seen the movie “Groundhog Day,” you know that Bill Murray relives the same day over and over again. It is not until he has truly changed his ways that he can move on in his life. In the business world, we don’t get to keep repeating our mistakes until we finally get it right. One of the most common mistakes many companies make is not focusing on their customers. Here are a few tips to become more customer-centric:

• Ensure everything your company does—from the products or services you offer to the staff who serves customers—is centered on customers and their experience at your business or website.
• Create marketing materials that sell a solution to your customers’ problems. Focus on the customers’ needs and not your product.
• Market using tools created for your audiences. For example, older generations often prefer traditional marketing (print ads, point of purchase displays, etc.) while younger generations often respond better to social media, e-marketing, and online shopping. Offer both options to accommodate multiple audiences.
• Open the communication lines between your marketing team and sales force to ensure customer requests are being heard and appear in your promotions.
• Keep an eye on your competitors and develop creative promotions that offer an extra incentive for customers to select your business over theirs. For example, “Receive 10 bonus bucks with any $50 purchase.”
• Encourage open communication with your customers requesting feedback and suggestions. Offer options such as e-mail, surveys, toll-free number, chat forums, etc.
• Develop a customer loyalty program that offers special promotions and incentives for return customers.
• Offer a guarantee that not only demonstrates confidence in your products, but also gives customers a compelling reason to buy today without the fear of tomorrow.

Stop by today if you’d like help developing stunning marketing materials that speak directly to your customers. Located at 120 Ellis Ave., Lexington, SC (behind the Post Office & next to Wings and Ale)