Timing Is Everything

Timing Is Everything

So whose deadlines are you meeting:
Yours or Your Customers?

I went into a major retailer to buy some winter clothes and was told, 'this was all we have because we're getting ready for summer stock.'

To which my response was, 'but it's July and it's still winter!

Which got me thinking:

❓ Are we providing our products and services when our customers actually want them or when it's convenient for us?

My observations of most retail businesses is unfortunately the latter.

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Think about it:

We're in winter and there's hardly any winter clothes about, Christmas decorations are out from October, and Easter Eggs and Hot Cross Buns are out in January instead of April.

❓ But is this really when the customer wants it? No! So why do we put up with this?

💡 Well, as online retail sales increase, it seems people are starting to vote with their feet and telling retail stores: if you don't have want I want, WHEN I want it, then I'll go elsewhere to get it.

I know I don't buy Easter Eggs until April and Hot Cross Buns until the week leading into Easter purely on principle.

And if I'm doing this, then your customers could also be making the same purchasing choices.

👉 3 Key Considerations To Meet Your Customers' Needs

Here's 3 key considerations regarding your products and services to ensure you're actually meeting your customers' needs.

✅ #1 ASK OR ASSUME

💡 Have you actually asked your customers whether your product or services are being provided to them at the best time for them, or if another month, season etc might be better (and better means this should translate into increased sales for you).

If your products or services are only being provided at a certain time, then maybe it's your customer's busiest time and therefore not on their radar but providing them even a month later could reap substantial financial reward.

✅ #2 FLEXIBILITY OR ONE SIZE FITS ALL

💡 Are you giving your customers options to solve their immediate problem or it is just X and if you don't like it, or the price isn't right, then tough?

Customers want a balance between some choice and no choice at all but not an endless choice.

Remember: choice complicates the sale so overloading a customer with too many options could do as much damage as being inflexible.

✅ #3 GOOD, BETTER OR BEST

Too often, we forget many people want to start a relationship with our business at a small price point so they can determine if we're the right fit, can be trusted and can deliver on our promises.

💡 So we need to offer different price point options for people to come into our world.

Just because they start on our good option, doesn't mean they will always stay there.

In addition, cashflow can be greatly enhanced by high numbers purchasing a low price point so please don't dismiss the value of this sale.

What's Next?

"So I think instead of focusing on the competition, focus on the customer."
Scott Cook

We all know customers come first and without them, we don't have a business.

Unfortunately, we sometimes forget this due to excitement about a new product or service, or complacency because we get used to doing things in a particular way or at a particular time.

But this only means it's easier for us but not always easier for our customers which is the whole point, isn't it?

And here's my final thought:

If you believe you may have fallen into the 'My Way or The Highway' thinking, then I encourage you to stop and review the above 3 considerations to see if there's a way you can gain (or bring back) more customers with just a few simple timing tweaks.

You'll know if you're successful by an increase in your bank balance and word of mouth referrals, and decreased stress which comes from regular business coming in the door.

Cheers

Tamara (aka the 'Bob the Builder for Small Business' 👷 - can she fix it, yes she can!)

🎤Speaker 📖 Author ⏰💲 Coach

P.S Wondering how you can work with me or speak at your small business event?

Then let's chat.

And if you're saying you don't have time, we really need to chat because I can easily create at least 1 simple strategy to save 30 minutes a day so you've got nothing to lose.

Author: Tamara Simon

aka - the 'Bob the Builder for Small Business'

Tamara Simon helps owners navigate the challenges in their small business whilst still being the Chief Everything Officer by ...

SOLVING frustrating problems

SIMPLIFYING overwhelming systems

SUPPORTING them in times of confusion and uncertainty

For over twenty-five years as a Speaker, Author and Coach, she's been providing much needed support to small business owners, CEOs and their teams so they can build, manage and grow a simple profitable businesses they actually love.

Tamara develops speaking topics and runs WORKshops for small businesses around ...

1. Her Book - The Five Little Business Pigs

2. Navigating Challenges

3. Sporting Insights

So if ...

Your organisation's members are small businesses

You're running events for small businesses

✅ FRUSTRATED because you know something's WRONG but you don't know WHAT it is

✅ CONFUSED because you know WHAT is wrong but don't know HOW to solve
it

✅ OVERWHELMED with managing your growing business BECAUSE what was working now isn't.

Then check out her website to find out how to work with her and book the 'Bob the Builder for Small Business' to speak at your next event.

www.tamarasimon.com.au

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