Going The Distance

​He's going for distance, he's going for speed...

What is it that makes you appreciate someone's business? We're talking from a consumer standpoint here. When you consistently go back to a place of business, what drives you there? (No I don't mean your car) It might not be something you think about, but something keeps you coming back. Is it the product? A business that puts effort into their product usually sees that effort reflected in sales, right? Is it the customer experience? There is nothing like being treated like royalty. You feel as if you are the most important person at that moment in time. It can be a great feeling. Is it the fact they are a friend? We all love supporting our friends. It can be a great feeling to help out friends.

Perhaps its all of the above? maybe all of these things come together, creating an immersive experience. Then again, maybe it's none of them. We each place value on things differently. So, for a business, how do they guarantee everyone will feel valued? We all do the best we can. Let's face it, everyone is human, we all make mistakes. Sometimes mistakes cost us business, but all we can do is learn from it and move on. It's a hard road to travel having everything you do reflect upon your business. In the end, if you own a business, the in turn makes you and the business one entity. At least in the eyes of your customers.

​The best thing you can do is to go above and beyond. Every time, make it an awesome experience. To the best of your abilities of course. I'm not saying throw away money, or put other customers on the back burner. It's a balancing act. Like a man on a trapeze. swing one way too far, and possibly lose everything. Something that seems to excel in the investment world is the idea of going above and beyond. You promise a 20% return, but give them 30% instead. This shows the investor you went above and beyond to give them more. Your time was spent giving them more than promised. This usually makes people want to invest again.

As a business, we try to do the same. Providing excellent customer service, an exceptional product, and showing you genuinely care, are ways a business earns your trust. Whether it is a product or a service, all of these things can be accomplished. It takes a lot of effort to do this everyday, for every customer, but building a brand is not an easy task. Reputation is everything. It can lift you up to the highest highs, or stick to you like the stench of dirty gym socks. We all try to provide the best we can, and sometime we fall short on our marks. A business learns and grows, but only with time and diligence.

Strive to do your best in what you do. As a business owner, this is a goal every time we get a new or returning client. Seeing clients faces light up with joy is the greatest feeling around. But the same can be said from any aspect. Musicians that put their heart and soul into every performance gain followers. Adorations pour in as the listeners show their appreciation. Even when presenting food, going above and beyond makes the customer feel that time was spent in the creation just for them.

Go above and beyond, take it to the next level.