The person you are meeting for the first time is the customer you never met.

How do you approach your customers? Do you truly believe in customer satisfaction.
Then read the article below. This simple step by step guide to customer relation would help you relate well with your customers. Following through the step by step guide would boost your sales in no time.

The Art of Customer Relations.
Customer Relations is a very broad and diffult subject. Most business have had situations where they pray they never met a particular customer. Some business owners even concentrate on new customers instead of keeping the old ones.

1. WHEN THE CUSTOMER IS WRONG
As business owners, you must always prepare for situations where you genuinely believe the customer is wrong and yet he is insisting the fault is from you. Approach
such situation with tact and respect. Don't argue with the customer. humbly, show him why you think he is wrong.
Accept responsibility of not showing him the correct way of using the product or service. Replace the product or service where necessary. Apologize to the customer and assure him of your unflinching support. Thank him for using your product or service.

2. KEEP DATA ON CUSTOMERS
Do you have records of your customers? Do you know where they live? The work they do? Their hobbies? Their fears and worries? Their families? If you think they are not necessary, then you should know that your competitors have kept these records.They have them and work with these records.Knowing your customers help in decision making. Assist your customers solve problems even if you don't have the expertise. Contact others who can solve problems you can't solve to keep your customers happy.

3. APPRECIATE YOUR CUSTOMERS
Appreciate your customers by giving them gifts or commissions. Give free gifts to your customers. Give them gifts either quarterly or yearly. Give them free reports on the products or services rendered, include in such reports testimonials of people who have used your products and services.

4. LISTEN TO THE CUSTOMER
Anytime you come closer to the customer, Listen to him / her attentively. As much as possible, ask him / her open ended questions. During such conversations, encourage the customer to talk. Listen to the customer carefully. Give the customer undivided attention. Appoint highly effective people to receive the customer.

5. TURN THE CUSTOMER'S WAITING PERIOD INTO LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Turn the customer waiting period into learning experienc. Give the customer a brochure, reports or testimonials about the products or service. You can show him a documentaryon your products or services rendered. You can also create caller ring tones explaining the benefits of your products or services to the customer when he / she calls the office line. Have dedicated and well - trained telephone handlers who will receive all calls. You can also educate customers on the use of your products or services.

6. TEACH YOUR CUSTOMERS 
 Teach your customers about your products and service. Find time to educate your customers on the usage of the products or service. Teach them the benefits they might gain from the product or service. One thing in the mind of the customer is What is in For me (WIFM). Don't waste time explaining the product or service. The customer is not interested. Tell the customer how the product or service might help him /her.

7. EDUCATE YOUR CUSTOMERS ON ANY ISSUE
Take time to educate the customer on any issue that may help him / her. You can organise workshop or seminar for your customers on how to minimize errors in business, how to sell, investment techniques, HIV/AIDs, etc. Invite experts on these topics if you don't have the expertise. You can educate your customers on individual basis. Establish a well resourced office in your company that may provide such auxiliary services to your clients or customers.

8. CREATE A 24HOUR SUPPORT CENTRE
The support centre should receive calls from prospective clients and customers. Have a dedicated team to man this support centre. Customers and prospective clients should be well educated on the products or services. Create several avenues where customers or prospective clients can contact the support Centre 24/7.

9. TAKE SNAPSHOT AND VIDEOS OF YOUR CUSTOMERS
Take pictures and videos of your customers using your products or service. Create a photo album of your customers. Seek permission from customers to put their photos on the company's media platforms. Encourage the customer to take his / her picture or video using the products or service.

10. RECEIVE YOUR CUSTOMERS CHEERFULLY
Always receive your customers cheerfully. The person you are meeting for the first time is a potential
lifetime customer. Anytime you meet your customers receive them with a smile. Train all your workers to learn to speak politely to customers and potential clients.

Mohammed A. M.
Personal Development Coach,
Aminu Writes Unlimited Inc.
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