This is what I teach, preach and believe, so of course, I stopped by opening day. I bought probably one of the larger purchases of the day, and... major fail! ... the woman (nor the owner who was standing right beside her) didn't ask who I was, how I heard about them, or why I was buying so much. I so wanted to connect with them, I so wanted to become a raving fan... blog about them (well... I am...but this is not what I expected). I so envisioned becoming this regular... who they knew and who they could rely on to spread the word. ....don't ask me why I got so excited - it's just who I am. And then... nothing! So then, I gave them another chance.... went back - bought another big purchase. ...nothing, treated like a number. I am so sad! What a missed opportunity to build friends in the community, to build business, to increase sales! I'd go there tomorrow to pick up what I need for an event, but I will go to a big box location where the man behind the counter at least knows who I am. The morals of the story are: 1) it's not good enough to connect on line -that's only one part! You have to connect in person when the opportunity presents it self and 2) there are missed opportunities to create regulars and increase sales every day in every business - the only way you make that connection is to speak up and start the dialogue... and really care about getting to know people.
Don't worry, I won't shun the new, young entrepreneur; I have knowledge and experience to share, and I'll be darned if I'm going to keep helpful insight to myself. I will go in again, and I will introduce myself this time, and if they seem amenable to feedback or insight - I will share the perspective in a positive way and hope that it helps. Hopefully, this franchisee will learn that a brand or location alone does not make a successful business - it is (and always will be) based on the connection you make with people ....I want to see this person and business succeed, and hopefully, I will be blogging about the great products and services sometime in the future! Keep it real - and get connected - you never know how great that person could impact your life, business or community!
Very intriguing, Kat. I've been thinking in large degree about how American society has been distracted for tens of years from nurturing our immediate villages. I enjoy greatly the act of meeting someone new and after conversing, suggesting introductions to them to others who maybe of interest to their interests.
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely on to something! I'd like to see a blog post from you about it - always love your perspective!
ReplyDeleteI operate the same way as you Kat - it's all about the relationships and doing business with people you like. My best friend was visiting from NYC for the birthday a few weeks ago. We didn't do anything too special - just kind of lived a day in the life of Christy.
ReplyDeleteWhen she was leaving, she told me how surprised she was that I seemed to know someone everywhere we went. Yes, Atlanta is MUCH smaller than NYC and I have met great people here but mainly it's because I'm a neighborhood gal - I do business with people I like and enjoy seeing on a regular basis.
I also get upset when a business just doesn't get it. If I am going to support you and promote you (note: I don't expect anything in return - I am a natural promoter and enjoy promoting businesses and people I like)make me want to come back to your store! Or restaurant or business. How many times have you returned to a store just because you liked the owners or the staff? Social Media is fantastic because it allows us to "know" so many people. But, it's important for businesses who are using social media to get to know people, take time to get to know their customers back.
Great post - as usual!
People today seem really focused on the numbers rather than the people. It seems like the "more" the better, but it isn't always the case if you don't research what the "more" want which is acknowledgment that they are still there.
ReplyDeleteGreat article Kat, always bringing a new light to society.
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ReplyDeleteI hope you open up in Ireland :)
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