Are You Treating Your Clients Like They’re Idiots?
The other day I went to one of those quick oil change shops where you can have your oil changed in 10-15 minutes. I didn’t need anything else done to my car – I didn’t need a new air filter, radiator or tires. After checking the odometer for mileage and the door for the required tire pressure, the attendant asked me to put the car in park and to put the keys on the dashboard. The guy went to look under the hood, then came back to ask if I would put the keys on the dash.
“I have them,” I said as I showed him the keys.
“We have to see them on the dashboard”, he says.
“I’m not going to start the car.”
“It’s our policy”, he droned.
“I’m not going to start the car”, I repeat.
“I have to insist…”
I then asked him to lower my hood because I was leaving. It wasn’t so much that I was being a stubborn jacka**, as much as I didn’t want to give my business to a company that thought I was idiotic enough to turn on the ignition while the guy below had his hands in the engine. I went down the street to one of their competitors.
Do you treat your clients as if they’re idiots? Before you answer too quickly, check out the warning signs.
WARNING SIGN
Do you feel as if you need to “educate your clients”? Because of your expertise and your thorough knowledge of your industry, do you feel that your potential clients are privileged to have you there to show them the light? Have you ever felt as if your clients need you?
While some of these statements may occasionally seem to be true, entrepreneurs and business owners should never take their clients/customers for granted.
HOW TO AVOID THIS MINDSET
Remember you need them more than they need you
Think about it…customers are the life blood of your business. Without them your business will cease to exist. On the other hand, your client can probably survive (at least for a while) without your product or service.
Remember they always have options
You may think that you’re special (and you are), that your product/service is unique (it should be), but your client can always just go down the street to have their needs met.
Remember it’s a relationship, not just a transaction
The moment you forget this truth, you’re heading the wrong direction. If you focus on building and maintaining relationships with your clients, you’re much less likely to take them for granted or to treat them like they’re idiots.
Until next time…Go Boldly! TM
Dino Herbert
The Business JumpMaster TM
Author of the forthcoming book: Business Jump School: 15 Drills You Must Master Before Starting Any Business
www.BusinessJumpSchool.com/book
The other day I went to one of those quick oil change shops where you can have your oil changed in 10-15 minutes. I didn’t need anything else done to my car – I didn’t need a new air filter, radiator or tires. After checking the odometer for mileage and the door for the required tire pressure, the attendant asked me to put the car in park and to put the keys on the dashboard. The guy went to look under the hood, then came back to ask if I would put the keys on the dash.
“I have them,” I said as I showed him the keys.
“We have to see them on the dashboard”, he says.
“I’m not going to start the car.”
“It’s our policy”, he droned.
“I’m not going to start the car”, I repeat.
“I have to insist…”
I then asked him to lower my hood because I was leaving. It wasn’t so much that I was being a stubborn jacka**, as much as I didn’t want to give my business to a company that thought I was idiotic enough to turn on the ignition while the guy below had his hands in the engine. I went down the street to one of their competitors.
Do you treat your clients as if they’re idiots? Before you answer too quickly, check out the warning signs.
WARNING SIGN
Do you feel as if you need to “educate your clients”? Because of your expertise and your thorough knowledge of your industry, do you feel that your potential clients are privileged to have you there to show them the light? Have you ever felt as if your clients need you?
While some of these statements may occasionally seem to be true, entrepreneurs and business owners should never take their clients/customers for granted.
HOW TO AVOID THIS MINDSET
Remember you need them more than they need you
Think about it…customers are the life blood of your business. Without them your business will cease to exist. On the other hand, your client can probably survive (at least for a while) without your product or service.
Remember they always have options
You may think that you’re special (and you are), that your product/service is unique (it should be), but your client can always just go down the street to have their needs met.
Remember it’s a relationship, not just a transaction
The moment you forget this truth, you’re heading the wrong direction. If you focus on building and maintaining relationships with your clients, you’re much less likely to take them for granted or to treat them like they’re idiots.
Until next time…Go Boldly! TM
Dino Herbert
The Business JumpMaster TM
Author of the forthcoming book:
Business Jump School: 15 Drills You Must Master Before Starting Any Business
www.BusinessJumpSchool.com/book