News
Worldwide Shortages and Delays
The Suez Canal is a route vital to the delivery of consumables across the globe. Unfortunately, when the heavily travelled pathway becomes blocked, the devastating repercussions are suffered world-wide. To add insult to injury, the COVID shutdowns drastically reduced the output of manufactured goods. However, how many consumers want to wait weeks for the receipt of goods in this “Same day delivery” environment we live in?
The current circumstances have put a strain on prompt customer service and have increased the risk of potentially losing customers to the competitor who have stock of the items you’re missing. Suppliers have to fight off contractors hounding for parts and / or equipment orders. Contractors have to think outside the box to find temporary solutions until the required items are received. To top it all off, let’s not forgot the climate crisis that brought disastrous wild fires, extreme heat, and the shortest transition season that typically causes down-time before the cold snap begins.
If this sounds all too familiar, you’re probably quite skilled at juggling the pursuit of new opportunities with ensuring your existing customers are updated on a frequent basis. Now, if this segment makes your realize you have a large backlog of open jobs waiting on parts, and you haven’t been in touch with your clients, how many do you think will still be eager to hear from you once the orders arrive?
Customer loyalty is strengthened under stressful circumstances being handled smoothly by their incumbent contractor. Taking 30 minutes a day to follow up with suppliers, gathering adjusted arrival estimates and contacting each customer, could save you thousands of dollars. Rebuilding a customer base is more costly than appreciating the clientele you have, and who wants to be stuck with those special, non-returnable orders that can only be used in the piece of equipment your newly lost customer has. Although, taking the time now may put additional strain on keeping up with daily demands, make the effort now to reap the rewards of a secure customer base continuing into the future of your business.
This abnormal supply shortage will end. Make sure in the meantime, you’re focused on the issues at hand and don’t become sidetracked. Your business development depends on it.
2020 Elections
Joe Biden has successfully won the majority electoral votes in the United States of America. Although, Donald Trump is delaying the transitional period using vote recounts and increasing court attempts, changes are underway, and either way, Canada will be impacted by those coming alterations. What may be affected ? Tariffs, Business transaction processes?
Are you prepared for the opportunity to expand back into America?
With the possibility that our economy will benefit from the new Presidential Elect’s improvements, it’s time to review and renew our international policies and procedures. Many changes were made under the Trump administration which negatively impacted major Canadian manufacturers. Those implementations could be quickly enacted or delayed for the foreseeable future due to COVID-19. To capitalize on these changes, it is the perfect time to start the reminding clients who you are and why they turned to you before. In the unprecedented times ahead, you’ll deal with adjustment periods and possible substantial growth if your able to direct your efforts efficiently. By dividing your attention between building and maintaining an existing Canadian customers base opposed to the development and sustainable energy needed to be advantageous from the American restructuring, you may be missing an important increase in profits. Let 4U Customer Care support you and give you the time and attention the American governmental adaptions will require of you.
Are you ready?
Mr. Doug Ford announced yesterday that regions of Ontario are ready for the second phase of reducing restrictions on our communities (with exception to some remaining hot spots). Being permitted to open again will put added pressure on your company to perform at the same level, as before. You may have let some employees go, you may have changed facilities to reduce expenses, whatever you have done to try your best to guarantee the future of your organization, are you ready for the influx of business?
Have you brushed up on your health and safety, prepared for social distancing space, updated your rates? Have your customers forgotten about you? Do you have a plan to gain business, stir up service calls or purchasing? Do you know where to look to start your revenue stream steadily coming in again to cover the expenses that built up over the last few months?
This is the perfect time to reach out to your client base and remind them how important they are to your company. Provide your loyal customers the care, concern, attention that make them feel special. Remind your clientele that you will be there for them now and for future.
The World Bank is estimating this to be the worst recession in 80 years due to the Coronavirus. The global output is expected to shrink by 5.2% during 2020 alone. This will be the broadest economic collapse since 1870’s. So what will you do differently to secure your success?
Most people currently don’t have a plan. This scenario is new for everyone. So how do you ramp back up to your pre-Coronavirus status?
4U Customer Care are here to help you through it all. Our focus has always been on you, and your importance to us. We are here 4U. Let us help you achieve success again and outlast this pandemic together. Let’s raise up and support you because your business feeds people, you are relied on by families, friends, the community. Together we can reduce the economic impact of COVID-19 and implement new strategies and coping mechanisms for everyone around us. So, who’s ready for the business battle of a lifetime? Pull up those socks, hold your chin up, and let’s get to it!
Providing Stellar Customer Service Keeps Your Business Alive During COVID-19
Numerous articles have been posted across international media, suggesting a way entrepreneurs can keep their businesses afloat during Coronavirus. Some articles rely on a method of reducing pricing to enticing customers to act now, some articles preach on methods of changing your business to adhere more to Coronavirus assistance and less following your original business structure, and others mention strategies of cutting back any and all expenses and ride the wave until vaccinations are available. However, it seems the vital strategy for a business to be strong and successful has been forgotten.
In today’s world, societies have joined hands in order to help everyone survive this pandemic. Front line workers are showing strength and determination to save us from an ill fated doom. Healthcare and essential services are providing the general population a sense of security and confidence during times of confusion and scare-mongering. Customer service our societies are receiving from these relied on workers is astronomical, and extraordinary. Through all their struggles, hard times, exhaustion and fear, the front lines are still calming our minds, portraying a trust-worthy persona, and informing us of what they need to do their job right. This is no time to second guess the professionals. I want to live, and I want those important to me to live through this as well. This will be our generations “When I was your age” tale told to grandchildren time after time, as long as we pay for what is needed, we trust our essential services to lead the way, as they are the experts, and their treatment should not be any less.
Now, far stretch from COVID to businesses, I realize, but take a moment and think about our working world. How often are those around us, who work hard to provide the best service, product or support, get the same respectful treatment? Do you feel everyone is educated enough to know what goes into making that “widget”, what strength it takes, or skill it takes or sacrifice it takes to keep providing the purchases to society?
Do we feel it’s time to stand back, and look at the vicious purchase cycle we created? Instead of undercutting, let’s lend a helping hand, instead of lacking awareness, let’s respect the hard work, and instead of taking things for granted, should we realize everything has value,?
COVID can teach us a number of life lessons to take away from this difficult time, but are we ready to listen?
Pick Two Out of Three
I remember during my initial working life, sitting behind a desk at a service providers office. The service department had a sign up, printed on a large 3’ x 3’ board, in bright BOLD letters, with the saying “We promise to provide two out of three. What are your preferences? A) Quick response B) Cheap Cost C) Highest Quality”. I always return to that printed board whenever I’m told “I want to buy the newest product, but I need it tomorrow, I want to spend substantially less than the market price, and I want the product to cure world hunger and grant me three wishes.” The analogy is a little exaggerated, but you get the idea.
It has become clear over the years that every organization is under the pressure to cure world hunger and grant three wishes - so to speak. Companies are still trying to cover all bases, and consumers are raising their expectations. This vicious cycle is causing undercut pricing to beat competition, leading to poor results. The day to day race to the next sale to find a slight profit, increases stress on all levels of workers, reduces ability of professionals to perform at top efficiency, and our standards are getting further and further out of reach. Mental health issues are on the rise, poor nutrition is becoming a burden on our health systems, and our drive to fit the consumers mold is being pushed to the brink of collapse. Health, safety and regulated means of a purchased thing is being overlooked for a quick buck. “The Walmart Affect” and “Amazon Super Power” are changing the world to become more efficient and our standards are setting the bar to high to reach, so everyone is disappointed in the results. However, if clients of those companies only knew what it costs to run that service or provide that product, and if they knew the outcome of their buying decisions, do you think society would change and revert back to only picking two out of three?
Recently it has become apparent that to compete in this fast paced business world, customer service will become the driving factor to a business’ success. The art of developing and retaining loyal customers, on a candid and transparent term, opens the door to accurately price “widgets” in order to cover operating costs. Customers having trust and confidence in their preferred company gives way to contractors or retailers acting responsibly on behalf of their customers, to provide quality of workmanship. The “catch-22” is, now finding the time to slow down amidst the race of fighting for profit, to improve the relationship with your customers and add trust, confidence and transparency back into the mix.
Customer Service is a constant balancing act. Spending the time, the money and the energy on strengthening that network will keep the doors open through rough times, will provide positive responses from clients, and will reduce the risk of health issues, poor nutrition, and put the work / life balance back in line for everyone.
So, what do you prefer?
Prompt
Cheap
Quality