Seven success ideas you can build on!

By Bob ‘Idea Man’ Hooey

If we are serious about offering value-added service, and meeting the changing needs of our customers, we need to explore some different avenues in helping them solve or resolve their problems.  Here are seven areas that successful businesses have utilized in their efforts to assist them.  See if some of these will lend themselves to your business, and build on it!

•	Showroom or in-store seminars

If your product or service lends itself to being more effectively used by the use of different applications, holding an in-house session is a great idea.  How can you adapt or change your situation to be able to offer this service to your potential customers?

•	In-house, client newsletter or e-zine

Keeping in touch and sharing information on how to better use your products or services or what’s happening in your industry is a great way to serve. With some of the new software programs, this is increasingly easier to accomplish.  I’d suggest doing this 2 to 4 times a year at first, so you don’t promise what you can’t deliver.  Keep it simple and conversational.  Keep the focus on “WIIFM” – what’s in it for me!  Write it from their perspective, if you would truly serve them.  It can even be done as an e-letter and sent via the Internet.  When will you start?  What will you call it?   Send me a copy… ideaman@canada.com … I’d love to see it! If you’d like a copy of my free Ideas@Work! e-zine drop me a note.

•	Send stories to local media

Become a source of information to your community by taking the risk of sending items of interest to their readers to the media.  Keeping people informed about newsworthy developments is a customer service activity.  How can you do this in your area? Visit our Collection of Wisdom articles page for more information and some rich reading. www.ideaman.net 

•	Write a booklet, workbook or book

If you have built a solid reputation or a depth of experience in your field, perhaps you can add value to your service or business by taking the time to write a few thoughts.  It doesn’t have to be a work of art, just valuable and easily read. I started with “How to Remodel Your Kitchen and Stay Married!”” when I was still designing kitchens 7 years back. It was a very effective tool!

•	Mall shows or home shows

Another opportunity to provide a needed service to potential customers.  It’s a bit of work, but it will pay off in the long run.  Does your firm or product lend itself to this type of instruction and marketing?  Check out opportunities in your area to better serve your customers, by sharing your knowledge and exhibiting what you provide to the market.  Is there a mall show in your area that you can enter?  How about a display at a local bank or other location? My ‘How to Remodel…” lead to an offer to headline at the BC Home Show on my own Kitchen Idea Stage. It worked wonders for my exposure and my business. 

•	Continuing education or guest lecturer

This is how I started and eventually this outpouring of my training as a professional kitchen designer allowed me to teach my fellow designers and potential customers alike.  Later, I had the opportunity to expand my areas of instruction into the areas of time management, creativity and problem solving and of course Customer Service.  I’ve been a full time speaker, trainer and consultant now for over 5 years. It all started in night school. What is it you know that would be teachable and provide solid value to potential customers?  What is stopping you from taking this step?

•	Become a media source

Contact your local media and let them know you’d be willing to act as a source if something comes up within your area of expertise. Often they are looking for local or national responses to breaking stories.  If they know you and your expertise, you might be called on to respond or comment as an industry ‘expert.’  What can you be an ‘expert’ on?  Make a commitment to let them know! See our ‘Creative Collection of Wisdom’ Articles web page for information on how to become known as the expert. www.ideaman.net/articles.html

•	Other ideas

I’m sure as you read this; other ideas have crossed your mind.  Take a moment to jot them down here.  I’d be glad to hear your ideas as well.  Drop me a note at ideaman@canada.com

Copyright 2002 Bob ‘Idea Man’ Hooey All Rights Reserved. Bob is a Business Enhancement Success Thinker and trainer who works with individuals and organizations who want to unleash their potential and thrive in the 21st Century. He is the author of 5 books and his Ideas At Work! have been successfully applied by 1000’s of professionals across North America. Visit his website for more information: www.ideaman.net