Answer Upon
#1 in Business Subscribe Email Print

You are here: Home > Business > Branding > Management Foibles...When 20 Bucks and Ego Is More Important than a Decade of Customer Loyalty

Tags

  • brand
  • bones
  • persons
  • friends fleet
  • truck tires
  • coming decade

  • Links

  • It's Raining Mobiles This Christmas
  • Advice For People Who Suffer Migraines
  • The Past Does Not Have to Predict the Future
  • Answer Upon - Management Foibles...When 20 Bucks and Ego Is More Important than a Decade of Customer Loyalty

    Making Your Corporate Identity A Brand!
    Corporate branding!! Have you ever given a prime thought to what corporate branding means does? If not try it, Branding means process by which true character and purpose of the company or organization is communicated. And it starts with corporate logo. Corporate logo makes a mark on customers. A well designed logo gives any company or organization a higher edge against the competitor.Brand identity guru Wally olins says "Brands are the tools with which companies seek to build and retain customer loyalty. Because that often requires expensive advertising and good marketing, a strong brand can raise both prices and barriers to entry."Designing may seems very easy task but designing a brand is very creative, thoughtful and logical approach for any business houses. Implementing the core values and company purpose in a symbol takes a lot and it makes a vast difference if your corporate logo says everything about your business.What do you need to know while designing a brand?When you are thinking of brand it’s a symbol, name, term, design, punch line, services and combination of all. Brand means giving your company a edge.Describing brand design in detail, Paul Barlow says, "Brand design encompasses a vast array of design disciplines, from tra
    I’m sure you would agree that it is not a good idea to treat any customer poorly, but to treat a heavily published author and busy professional speaker poorly is purely lunatic, as I will now use this story about the brand that claims to be pros with tires at many of my seminars across the country.

    Will people discontinue using this company that claims to be pros with tires just because I tell the story? I don’t think so. But, what will happen is that the next time they do business with this chain and a problem occurs, as is bound to happen, they will remember my story. Now that chain, and the particular store, has an additional strike against

    Binders
    Binders are perfect presentation solutions. They organize loose papers and help give a more professional impression for presentations. They have been around since the later half of 19th century. However, since 1954 the American thermoplastic industry pioneered manufacturing and custom printing of these loose-leaf products.Binders are available in a gamut of types, styles, sizes, colors and capacities. You can pick and choose the one that best suits your requirements. Add to it state-of-the-art screen printing and you can get your Binder personalized with your name, corporate logo or anything else.Different types of Binders use different binding methods. There are Binders that have binding types like coil bind, comb bind, velo bind, wire bind and ring bind. Then there are binding methods like element binding, thermal binding, tape binding and channel binding.Element binding employs the usage of a binding element in combination with a whole pattern on a document. The most common types of element binding are wire, plastic comb, and plastic coil. The pitch of binding means the number of holes per inch. The wire binding has a pitch of 3:1 and 2:1 whereas the coil binding has a pitch of 4:1.In thermal binding heated glue is used to fasten the document to a cover. It produces a ""wrap-around"" look that a
    Trust me, management has their foibles! When is it that 20 bucks and a store manager’s ego become more important than a decade of loyalty from a customer? In my opinion, Never! Little things can be much more costly to your profitability than one might imagine.

    I recently had an experience that clearly demonstrated the crucial need for better training at all levels, from entry-level employees to management. This situation occurred at a local tire store, one that is part of a national chain—of which will go unnamed—but claims in their name to be pros with tires. The store manager made the decision that $20 in his cost on labor, and his need to be right was more important to him than a loyal 10-year customer.

    Let’s Review the Benefit of from 10 Years of Customer Loyalty:

    >New tires (sets of four) on 3 cars—approximately 8 sets at an average of $300 per set equals a minimum of $2,400 in retail sales.

    >Satisfied customer recommendations to friends and business acquaintances—in this particular case the bare minimum is referral benefit is a fleet of 18 cars and trucks that moved their account to this particular store five years ago based on my recommendation. This referral has resulted in approximately 9 sets of car and truck tires purchased yearly by the company. At an average of $400 (truck & SUV tires are more expensive), the yearly sale to this company is $3,600.

    >The bare bones minimum value this store received from one customer’s loyalty and referrals for 10-years is $20,400.

    Let’s Review What the Store Will Most Assuredly Lose in the Coming Decade from the Manager’s Seemingly Inconsequential $20 Decision:

    >Within the next 2 months, the store will lose the sales on sets of tires for both a minivan and an SUV equaling a minimum of $700.

    >Over the coming decade the store will also lose, not accounting for inflation, at the very least the same $2,400 from my 3 cars, and most likely more.

    >After telling the above-mentioned fleet manager that I had recommended to this store five years prior, the one that claims to be pros with tires, this store will most likely also lose my friend’s fleet account. The fleet account loss over the next 10 years will be at least $36,000.

    >Lost sales in the community of Thousand Oaks, CA where I live. While for a decade I had recommended these pros with tires to a number of friends, now I will, as would most people in this situation, make it a point to tell anyone that will listen how poorly I was treated by the store manager. How many dollars do you think will be lost?

    National Brand Damage:

    I’m sure you would agree that it is not a good idea to treat any customer poorly, but to treat a heavily published author and busy professional speaker poorly is purely lunatic, as I will now use this story about the brand that claims to be pros with tires at many of my seminars across the country.

    Will people discontinue using this company that claims to be pros with tires just because I tell the story? I don’t think so. But, what will happen is that the next time they do business with this chain and a problem occurs, as is bound to happen, they will remember my story. Now that chain, and the particular store, has an additional strike against i

    CNC Router Machine
    The CNC router machine cuts in three directions at once. The precision of the router’s cutting relies on the design software, software that provides a two-fold advantage to the router operator.To begin with, the CAD software gives the operator of the CNC router machine the ability to create the design that will be cut into the solid plate.After the operator creates the design, that same operator relies on the computer to send the proper operating instructions. The instructions from the software send signals to the router motor drive. These signals, termed tool path files, allow the motor controls to direct the precise motion of the router drive system.The router bits perform the cutting of the CNC router machine. These bits are similar to drill bits. As mentioned above, the cutting can proceed along three different axes simultaneously. The CNC controls cause the movements of the drill bits to take place in small and precise increments.The cutting along the x-axis moves from front to back. The cutting along the y-axis moves from left to right. The cutting along the z-axis moves up and down. The ability of the CNC router machine to move in 3 directions at once leads to the creation of interesting patterns and shapes.The use of a CNC router machine guarantees savings in time and money. The CNC
    right was more important to him than a loyal 10-year customer.

    Let’s Review the Benefit of from 10 Years of Customer Loyalty:

    >New tires (sets of four) on 3 cars—approximately 8 sets at an average of $300 per set equals a minimum of $2,400 in retail sales.

    >Satisfied customer recommendations to friends and business acquaintances—in this particular case the bare minimum is referral benefit is a fleet of 18 cars and trucks that moved their account to this particular store five years ago based on my recommendation. This referral has resulted in approximately 9 sets of car and truck tires purchased yearly by the company. At an average of $400 (truck & SUV tires are more expensive), the yearly sale to this company is $3,600.

    >The bare bones minimum value this store received from one customer’s loyalty and referrals for 10-years is $20,400.

    Let’s Review What the Store Will Most Assuredly Lose in the Coming Decade from the Manager’s Seemingly Inconsequential $20 Decision:

    >Within the next 2 months, the store will lose the sales on sets of tires for both a minivan and an SUV equaling a minimum of $700.

    >Over the coming decade the store will also lose, not accounting for inflation, at the very least the same $2,400 from my 3 cars, and most likely more.

    >After telling the above-mentioned fleet manager that I had recommended to this store five years prior, the one that claims to be pros with tires, this store will most likely also lose my friend’s fleet account. The fleet account loss over the next 10 years will be at least $36,000.

    >Lost sales in the community of Thousand Oaks, CA where I live. While for a decade I had recommended these pros with tires to a number of friends, now I will, as would most people in this situation, make it a point to tell anyone that will listen how poorly I was treated by the store manager. How many dollars do you think will be lost?

    National Brand Damage:

    I’m sure you would agree that it is not a good idea to treat any customer poorly, but to treat a heavily published author and busy professional speaker poorly is purely lunatic, as I will now use this story about the brand that claims to be pros with tires at many of my seminars across the country.

    Will people discontinue using this company that claims to be pros with tires just because I tell the story? I don’t think so. But, what will happen is that the next time they do business with this chain and a problem occurs, as is bound to happen, they will remember my story. Now that chain, and the particular store, has an additional strike against

    What Sells - Logic or Emotion
    Have you ever taken part in that debate? The one where someone tries to prove that some product in their home was purchased for purely logical reasons, with no emotion involved?They never can win. Even a kleenex becomes emotional when you can't find one. The same applies to choosing which brand to buy of all the choices available for most products. You choose the brand that makes you feel the best, even if it means choosing a specific brand of canned peas because once upon a time your Mother told you that to serve less meant feeding your family sub standard meals.How does that apply to you as a marketer... or as an individual selling a used car or the snowsuit your child outgrew?It means your first job is to show people how good they'll feel when they buy what you offer. Never mind the features, go first for the feelings. The features come later, as logical proof that they've made the right choice. You might start your snowsuit ad with a verbal picture of a child staying warm and dry. The used car might be a big gas guzzler... but focus on how good it will feel when everyone can stretch out their legs... and how convenient it will be to take everyone in the same car on your next outing. Or...it might be a sporty little job that makes you feel like a kid as you zip down the fr
    f $400 (truck & SUV tires are more expensive), the yearly sale to this company is $3,600.

    >The bare bones minimum value this store received from one customer’s loyalty and referrals for 10-years is $20,400.

    Let’s Review What the Store Will Most Assuredly Lose in the Coming Decade from the Manager’s Seemingly Inconsequential $20 Decision:

    >Within the next 2 months, the store will lose the sales on sets of tires for both a minivan and an SUV equaling a minimum of $700.

    >Over the coming decade the store will also lose, not accounting for inflation, at the very least the same $2,400 from my 3 cars, and most likely more.

    >After telling the above-mentioned fleet manager that I had recommended to this store five years prior, the one that claims to be pros with tires, this store will most likely also lose my friend’s fleet account. The fleet account loss over the next 10 years will be at least $36,000.

    >Lost sales in the community of Thousand Oaks, CA where I live. While for a decade I had recommended these pros with tires to a number of friends, now I will, as would most people in this situation, make it a point to tell anyone that will listen how poorly I was treated by the store manager. How many dollars do you think will be lost?

    National Brand Damage:

    I’m sure you would agree that it is not a good idea to treat any customer poorly, but to treat a heavily published author and busy professional speaker poorly is purely lunatic, as I will now use this story about the brand that claims to be pros with tires at many of my seminars across the country.

    Will people discontinue using this company that claims to be pros with tires just because I tell the story? I don’t think so. But, what will happen is that the next time they do business with this chain and a problem occurs, as is bound to happen, they will remember my story. Now that chain, and the particular store, has an additional strike against

    7 Signs That It's Time to Fire a Client
    It's an issue faced by business owners worldwide -- having to let go of, or "fire" a client. When I started my business, it's not a situation I ever thought I would face, as I was happy to take on almost anyone that wanted to hire me. However, over time, my client scrutinizing skills became more acute, and I began to realize that not every client is a perfect client for me. In fact, more than 50% of the people I speak with are not a good fit for one reason or another. Just like Donald Trump in "The Apprentice", sometimes you just have to say, "You're fired!"What happens to your business when you keep clients that are PITA (I'll let you figure out that acronym) clients? All of your time and energy is drained in serving these clients, you lose any enthusiasm you ever had for your business, and you no longer have the time or desire to go out and market yourself and continue to fill your client roster. You become angry and resentful of the clients that are dragging you down and begin to question yourself about why you started a business in the first place.Disengaging from a poor client choice can be painful, and often it's not easy. However, given the alternative, letting go of that client is a healthy route to follow. I found a great quote on the topic of "letting go" by author Benjamin Shield in his book,
    er telling the above-mentioned fleet manager that I had recommended to this store five years prior, the one that claims to be pros with tires, this store will most likely also lose my friend’s fleet account. The fleet account loss over the next 10 years will be at least $36,000.

    >Lost sales in the community of Thousand Oaks, CA where I live. While for a decade I had recommended these pros with tires to a number of friends, now I will, as would most people in this situation, make it a point to tell anyone that will listen how poorly I was treated by the store manager. How many dollars do you think will be lost?

    National Brand Damage:

    I’m sure you would agree that it is not a good idea to treat any customer poorly, but to treat a heavily published author and busy professional speaker poorly is purely lunatic, as I will now use this story about the brand that claims to be pros with tires at many of my seminars across the country.

    Will people discontinue using this company that claims to be pros with tires just because I tell the story? I don’t think so. But, what will happen is that the next time they do business with this chain and a problem occurs, as is bound to happen, they will remember my story. Now that chain, and the particular store, has an additional strike against

    Changes in Fire Safety Legislation
    Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005Current fire safety Laws detail employers and others' with responsibilities for people's safety if there is an out break of fire. At present there are various pieces of legislation that contain fire safety provisions, which makes it difficult for people to know what is applicable to them and their business in respect of complying with the Law.As part of the Governments' commitment to reduce death, injury and damage caused by fire, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) has now implemented changes in fire safety Law. Existing fire safety Law will be repealed or revoked and be replaced with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO), which has now received Parliamentary Approval (7 June 2005) and will come into force in April 2006.The RRFSO will be a fire risk assessment based approach where the responsible person(s) for the premises must decide how to address the risks identified, while meeting certain requirements.By adopting a fire risk assessment, the responsible person(s) will need to look at how to prevent fire from occurring in the first place, by removing or reducing hazards and risks (ignition sources) and then at the precautions to ensure that people are adequately protected if a fire were still to occur. Therefore the mai
    I’m sure you would agree that it is not a good idea to treat any customer poorly, but to treat a heavily published author and busy professional speaker poorly is purely lunatic, as I will now use this story about the brand that claims to be pros with tires at many of my seminars across the country.

    Will people discontinue using this company that claims to be pros with tires just because I tell the story? I don’t think so. But, what will happen is that the next time they do business with this chain and a problem occurs, as is bound to happen, they will remember my story. Now that chain, and the particular store, has an additional strike against it—perhaps their last?

    All of the above lost, and potentially lost business, because a chain store manager let’s his ego and 20 bucks get in the way of making good customer satisfaction decisions. This is a common mistake that many managers and owners make, and not exclusive to retail.

    Learning From the Situation:

    1. My teenage son took his car in to get the tires rotated and balanced—a free service from the pros with tires, for the life of one’s tires.

    2. Driving away from the store, my son noticed the car now pulled to one side.

    3. He returned to the store where they are pros with tires and asked them to fix the problem.

    4. They said they aligned the front end and charged him for the service without his approval (something that is illegal in the state of California). He did not argue the issue as it was the end of the evening and other customers were also trying to get out of the store too.

    5. Driving away again, he noticed the car still pulled.

    6. The next day I went to the store and spoke with the manager, we’ll call him Dan because that’s his name. In private, I explained to Dan my displeasure in the situation and asked him to remedy the problem. He said he would.

    7. Upon returning to pick up my son’s car, Dan personally guaranteed that the car now drove straight. And scribbled on a scrap of paper how he claimed one of the front tires wore unevenly because of the car being out of alignment.

    8. When I asked for Dan to refund the charge to my son since my son did not knowingly authorize work to be done that would incur a charge, he got in a huff and started to process a credit.

    9. While processing the credit, Dan asked what I did for a living. I told him that I help businesses to be profitable. He snidely asked if I would do work for free. I told him that up to that point, his customer service had been acceptable and cautioned him not to go further. He then told me that he did not want me to ever return to his store.

    10. Leaving the store, I noticed that the tires were rotated back to the position they were in when my son originally brought the car in for the rotation. The manager lied to me about remedying the problem. All this resulting in the car back to how it was when my son first came in and the store firing a 10-year customer.

    To answer Dan’s question—I would absolutely do something for free for a 10-year loyal customer if I even had a hint that my organization or I might have even partly been responsible for a situation that made a customer unhappy. Waitin

    HTTP = HTML link (for blogs, profiles,phorums):
    <a href="http://www.hubyou.info/article/7850/hubyou-Management-FoiblesWhen-20-Bucks-and-Ego-Is-More-Important-than-a-Decade-of-Customer-Loyalty.html">Management Foibles...When 20 Bucks and Ego Is More Important than a Decade of Customer Loyalty</a>

    BB link (for phorums):
    [url=http://www.hubyou.info/article/7850/hubyou-Management-FoiblesWhen-20-Bucks-and-Ego-Is-More-Important-than-a-Decade-of-Customer-Loyalty.html]Management Foibles...When 20 Bucks and Ego Is More Important than a Decade of Customer Loyalty[/url]

    Related Articles:

    Cardboard Shredders

    Options of Business Card Printing

    Get the Word Out With a Smart Printing Campaign

    Bookmark it: del.icio.us digg.com reddit.com netvouz.com google.com yahoo.com technorati.com furl.net bloglines.com socialdust.com ma.gnolia.com newsvine.com slashdot.org simpy.com shadows.com blinklist.com