Whose Picture is That on the Wall?
June 16, 2009
By trying to find ways to maintain excellent relationships with your customers, you’ll reap tremendous benefits in customer loyalty.
Customer loyalty is something every business strives to maintain. And as you will see, one company has a very unique way of accomplishing this.
On a recent trip to California, I had an afternoon off between two training programs at which I was presenting. I decided to take a trip to Laguna Beach to visit some shops and have dinner. As I left each of the stores, I asked for restaurant recommendations. When several people suggested the same restaurant, I figured it was probably a good bet.
When I arrived at the restaurant, the first thing I noticed were charcoal drawings of various people sketched along the walls of the restaurant. I assumed they were of famous celebrities who had eaten at the restaurant (it was southern California, after all), but I didn’t recognize any of them.
As the hostess greeted me, I asked her who the people were on the walls. “Are they famous people?” I asked, “Because I don’t seem to know any of them.” She smiled, so I imagine this was a question she was used to hearing. “They’re our regulars,” she replied.
Apparently, if you’re a regular customer at this restaurant, your picture is drawn on the wall of the restaurant to show the restaurant’s appreciation for your loyalty.
Now think about it. If you have some friends visiting from out of town, where would you be more likely to take them to dinner? Would you select a restaurant where you’re just another patron or a place where the management appreciates your business so much that they have your picture sketched on the wall?
One key to managing customer relationships is to make your customers feel special. This can involve giving them special “preferred customer” offers, sending them free gifts with their order, mailing them interesting magazine articles, or having their picture displayed prominently on the wall.
Given a choice, people will do business with people they like and with businesses that they feel appreciate them. Try to find ways to maintain excellent relationships with your customers and show your appreciation for their loyalty.
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One Response to “Whose Picture is That on the Wall?”
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Ha! LOVE this idea! As a decorative and fine art artist this is right up my alley. With a little creative thinking I’m could recreate a few ‘fresh’ versions of this to offer to local business and my clients!
All the best,
Stephen
Principle
Stephen J. Young Fine Artistry
http://www.stephenjyoung.com