Customer Service Tips For Small Businesses In Todays Economy

Maybe it's me, but, it  seems to me that small businesses are becoming less and less congenial.  One of the reasons that I've always chosen a small business over a large corporation, regardless of a cost diffrence that may sometimes exist, is that they were always so neighborly.  But, now,  this economy seems to have turned the formerly appreciative small business owner into an automaton, working, and doing the work, just to get the day over with, so that, they wont have to deal with us, the customer, until tomorrow.  Their indifference to our patronage tends to make us, their customer, feel as if the small business owner is emoting an attitude that they are doing us a huge favor.  There are only a few small businesses in the U.S. that I have come across which could fall into that catagory and they still treat their customers appreciatively. 

I know things are tight for the small business owner, because, things are tight for everyone, and getting tighter by the day.  Yet, when we forget to appreciate the hand that feeds us we'll soon find that hand feeding another, and we'll starve.  One of the best things a small business owner can do to make customers want to return and shop with them is to let go of their business problems or concerns while they're at work.  Sounds strange doen't it?  Still, consider this; if you're a business owner dealing with customers would you tell every customer how your business is going, or about how your spousal or family issues are affecting your mood or business?   No, you would'nt, and yet, thats what many small business owners unknowingly do today.  They bring their business and home issues  to work with them, and by so doing do they slowly strangle their business.  It's easier for a small business owner to blame the economy, when its so crappy anyway, rather then to take a serious look at what they are doing to their own business. 

"Check" Yourself Small Business Owner;
True, you, the business owner, could get away with blaming the economy on declining sales, but, when you look and see that though sales are slow you are still selling the same quality, and others in your industry are still selling strong, you have to look and admit you're doing something very wrong.  Start with how you are treating your customers.  Ask yourself, before you deal with a customer, what you're thinking about at that precise moment.  If its business or family let it go and decide on a specific time later that you will decicde on that issue.   Be sure to make a decision at the appointed time on the given issue and stick with any decision you make.  Then, move on.

Another reason I prefer small businesses is that I want to be able to reach out my hand and touch the local small business when there's a problem.  Nothing like going straight to the top just by walking through the front door.  Maybe I'm the one who should "check" himself.  I doubt it though.

The Master Sportsman