Right Here!
November 10, 2009
Businesses and associations invest heavily to attract new customers and new members. But sometimes trying to gain new customers can be as simple as asking for them.
Entire MBA courses are dedicated to the topic of attracting and retaining new business. But sometimes, the simplest approaches can be the most effective.
Last week, I was traveling through the Dallas-Ft. Worth airport, on my way to deliver a program at a conference in Philadelphia. Since I had a bit of time on my layover, and since my shoes were a bit dirty, I figured I would take a few minutes and get a shoe shine.
The shoe-shine attendant was a young guy, pleasant enough, and he chatted with me as he worked on my shoes. As he was finishing up, I saw him casually scan the people passing by, but I wasn’t quite sure what he was looking for.
Suddenly, as a well dressed man walked by, he shouted, “Right here!” The man turned around, looking puzzled, and said, “Excuse me?” The attendant replied, “You looked a bit lost, so I figured you were looking for me.”
It took a second as the man looked at the attendant, then peered down at his shoes. He hesitated for a moment, then said, “But you have someone in the chair already.” ”No,” came the reply, “we’re just finishing up.”
“Okay, then,” said the man, and he headed over to the chair as I stepped out and paid the attendant.
I didn’t have time to stay around and watch, but I suspect this young man had a steady stream of customers all morning long. And what was his marketing strategy? He simply asked for the business.
So many times we develop elaborate and complicated strategies to develop and grow our businesses. But we can all gain wisdom from the shoe-shine attendant who simplified his sales and marketing approach to the basics: identify potential customers and ask for the business.
Look at your own approaches and see if you can incorporate these fundamental ideas in a unique and creative way to make your own organization shine!
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Hi Ron,
It was nice to meet you at your house on Wed night. I just signed up for the webinar at 2 today and I’m really looking forward to it.
Tell me, did I miss something? The webinar signup form said for “3″ free months of the Inner circle newsletter go here to sign up. I pulled up that page to look at it and it said “2″ free months. Am I reading it wrong?
Anyway, I enjoyed meeting you Wed and wanted to say thanks for the insight you provided me with for my “maybe” business. You were very sweet to chat with me. When I can afford it I’d love to set up a consultation with you.
Thanks again!
Michelle