Just as humans can absolutely not live without oxygen, so also can a business not exist without customers. In comparison to basic human needs, there is absolutely nothing more important than meeting your customers’ basic needs.
Not to be misunderstood for customers’ wants, as every customer comes with various wants they hope you would fulfill. Wants which sometimes vary from what you offer, and are sometimes unrealistic, difficult or beyond one’s imagination. Imagine a client looking to purchase the alcoholic shawarma cocktail he had in his dreams.
Customer needs are those basic necessities that every person in a customer situation needs. As we celebrate Customer Service Week, let every business oriented individual be reminded of these five basic needs.
It should be noted that every individual in an organization is a Customer Service Provider, right from the Head of the Organization to the least on the hierarchy, possibly the security guards, and those who act as the company’s image, dubbed, Customer Service agents.
Here are the Five Needs of Every Customer.
Service
Customers expect the services they think are appropriate to the level of purchase they are making.
Price
Every customer wants to feel they are getting their money’s worth. No one is interested in traveling a far distance for an item that can easily be purchased at a similar price close to them. This makes the component of price even more important to the customer.
Quality
Who no like beta thing? Customers would readily buy a product they are assured of its quality. They want products that they purchase to be durable and functional until they decide to replace them. A rationale behind the purchase of tested and trusted brands that deliver on quality products and their increasing popularity. This requirement of quality mandates that manufacturers and distributors produce products that live up to the customers’ expectation of quality.
Action
In Nigeria, action speaks the loudest when compared to mere chattering. This is why customers prefer actions to sweet sayings whenever a problem arises. Customers are human beings, not robots or scientifically designed species, they would like to know that they’re important, so that whenever a need or question arises; someone is ready and willing to help them.
Appreciation
When the five magic words were taught in preschool days, ‘thank you’ was mentioned as extremely important. Words of appreciation can be said in seconds and can serve as a bridge in relationships. Customers need to know that they are appreciated while doing their business. Don’t just assume that they know. There are several ways of showing appreciation that your business can adopt. In addition, letting customers know that your organization is glad that they have chosen to do business with you conveys a positive message.
