Understanding Your Customers Unique Needs

The last time you went to make a major purchaseassociate after introducing herself asked Jill if she
you probably had some idea of what you wanted.could ask her a few questions so she could make a
The internet provides us with loads of information onrecommendation that would fit her needs. Jill
everything imaginable. So if you have the time topurchased her computer, all in one printer, USB cord,
research everything then you really don't need anypaper and extra ink .The reason for virus protection
sales assistance. I hope you don't believe in thatwas thoroughly explained and installed. Jill was fully
theory as it has disaster written all over it.operational in short order and had everything she
Time is so valuable to many of us that we still desireneeded to support her business.
someone to explain the options and features so weEvery customer has somewhat of a different
can make a wise decision that fits our needs. Thesituation and there are no one size fits all solutions.
last thing on my list after a long day is to research aThe only way to ensure your customer is getting
product on line.what they need is to ask questions and understand
Let's use an example; Bill read on line abouttheir unique situation. Bill is probably angry at the
computers as he needed one for his business. Hebusiness he shopped at and probably won't return
went to a local store and after ten minutes and nothere in the future. Jill is thrilled and will shop at that
one waiting on him picked one off the shelf andbusiness frequently and recommend it to her friends.
went home. Initially he was happy with his purchaseListen to your associates and see how they handle
until he realized he still needed accessories to make ittheir customers and their needs. If you haven't
meet his needs and he wasn't aware he needed virustrained them to ask questions and listen then they
protection.just might be using the cookie cutter system which is
Jill has the same situation but goes to a store thata no win situation for everyone concerned.
has a history of great customer service. The sales