Are you a Great Customer?

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Usually/Sometimes/Always

I asked this question of a few friends who own a small business and the answers they gave were “usually” or “sometimes” under certain circumstances. For example if they were under pressure from their own customers to complete a project, they sometimes became  a more impatient or demanding customer themselves.

After further discussion we agreed that each of us sometimes forget to be a great customer of other small businesses.

When we are a great customer of another small business, we will often find they:

• Go the extra mile to help when we most need the assistance
• Proactively provide referrals to our business
• Provide recommendations for our business
• Are open to joint venture opportunities
• Are more proactive in solving our business problems
• Return our emails, phone calls, etc quickly

Simple steps we can take to be a better customer include:

•  Pay our invoices on time
• Be organised so that we do not demand work to be completed in unrealistic time frames
• Think through briefs rather than quickly give a verbal brief 
• Be collaborative
• Admit our mistakes if we are wrong
• Be proactive if a problem arises
• Provide positive or constructive feedback
• Be realistic in our expectations for the work to be done for the given budget
• Provide a budget for projects
• Be forgiving if  mistakes occasionally occur
• Proactively provide referrals or testimonials
• Respond promptly to their their emails, phone calls or sms messages

 So it now over to you to tell us what steps you take to ensure you are a great customer of other small businesses?