In what ways do businesses distinguish themselves from others to be more successful?

Question

In what ways do businesses distinguish themselves from others to be more successful?

Answer 1

Customer service is vitally important to have a successful company. As a consumer I personally will go out of my way or perhaps pay a bit more for a product or service just for good customer service.

Answer 2

Simple. Unlike your organization, I don't gouge my clients with rates that approach usury.

Answer 3

One, and the most important, is by finding a need and filling it.



A simple premise, but true and quite often overlooked.



http://www.bottlecops.com



http://www.aperfectme.com



Secondly, you must tailor the businesses' success around the customer, and around the product. In other words in areas such as marketing, billing, etc., what may work for one company may not generally work for another.



Customer service is of course, KEY.



Lastly, be patient, and believe. If you have a good product or service and excellent customer care, success will come.

Answer 4

I think having a little flexibility concerning consumer needs can make a company more appealing than another in the same business such as finance . Also providing customers with easy contact with the business and having more than one method of contact such as person to person contact if preferred by the customer , on-line service in addition to an automated system if the customer so chooses to use that method. Whenever reasonable such a business when dealing with a forthright customer having a temporary payment problem would be wise to try and help a customer manage their bill in a mutually acceptable manner that doesn't frighten the customer into feeling they have to no recourse in catching up and taking care of a delinquent bill . Some companies make multiple calls daily to customers homes and all too briskly add late and over the limit fees which sometimes frighten customers into giving up making payments altogether. Occasionally if someone is near their borrowing limit a company will vary the billing date approval of credit protection and such various extra services to push for over the limit fees with the intention of doing so . I think every effort should be made to provide a specific monthly date for billing payments instead of allowing them to vary from month to month . This would in effect prevent many loan or credit defaults and benefit the company and the consumer .

Answer 5

One bad customer service experience sticks in the mind of the customer forever and will always be a factor in future consumerism. One rude waitress and I will write that organization off my family outings list. Your staff, your forward visible employees have the most power and are often least recognized or respected in your agency. We are a hard working, none confrontational all American dual income family with thousands of options and choices thrown at us daily to the point of being ridiculous. Consistent honesty, kindness and customer service are worth their weight in gold. That is how the word spreads and the $$'s are spent.

Answer 6

They make ridiculous commercials for their credit cards, which they fund through usurious credit card interest rates.

Answer 7

SERVICE...something damn near every business seems to have forgotten!

Answer 8

consistently great customer service

Answer 9

Well as far as HSBC is concerned, you can bring your customer service back from India because I really, as an HSBC customer don't want to talk to them about my financial matters. Also, perhaps when I make a payment thru the HSBC website on my , yes, HSBC credit card, you could have my payment clear my checking account in less than the 21 days that the last payment took. That being said, you should also have someone, NOT IN INDIA, be able to track and tell me WHY my payment hasn't cleared in 21 days......

For those reasons, I'm acquiring another credit card and dropping HSBC..... Does that about cover it for you? And that being said, am I the ONLY person that gets ticked off when I have to call India for customer service? If I had my way companies that off-shore jobs should have to shampoo my crotch.

Answer 10

I am so sorry but do you not know that YOUR customer service SUCKS!

Answer 11

1. Delivery - being able to "deliver" your services to the consumer as promised; sometimes even as assumed (as the consumer may never tell you their grievances). Being available at the time when your services are needed.

2. Free Services - not charging for basic necessities like printed & mailed statements of account, maintenance of accounts, use of the customer care line, membership renewal, etc. Something like this really makes your company stand out.

3. Proper staff training - ensure that your people convey the right message to the consumer whether through their speech and/or actions.

4. Company image - good quality stationery, write-ups, company brochures, and etc can go a long way when enhancing the trust of the consumer in your company.

Answer 12

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Answer 13

As a general rule I like to be a customer of a place that has respect for me, John Q customer. If I feel that a business is disrespecting me in any way, I stop being their customer. What I respect in a business, is the following;



1) A polite but efficient staff.

2) High quality product or service.

3) Willingness towards flexibility.

4) Relying on quality, rather than marketing hype, that is their reputation, to sell something. In my experience, using Hollywood as an example, the more buzz on television you see regarding a movie, the greater the warning sign you should not go watch it. As a general rule, the worse the product, the more the commercials.



Now advertising is a vital part of business, but excess is a surefire sign they are selling garbage. When businesses lie, big or small, its obvious. General warning signs that a business is bullcrapping you;



1) The staff is overly nice, but as nice as they are, they have excuses for everything, even the most trivial things.

2) General services are ineficient, and that feeling you get that people talk behind your back in middle school? You get it, whenever you deal with that given business. This isn't paranoia; some operations give that feeling, others don't.

3) The commercials tell you what an awesome product they are selling, but the grapevine says its garbage. Case sample; the Xbox 360.



A business distinguishes itself by making its intentions clear that it wants to make money, but, that it wishes to do so by selling a high quality product, all the while seeing to it it hires polite, respectful and efficient people. Call it old fashioned, but it works for me.

Answer 14

Innovative products, reasonably priced, available where consumers can find them, with quality that meets expectations, and customer service, and an array of new products introduced over time to establish a reputation for quality, service, and innovation that produces customer loyalty and brand loyalty.



Chines proverb: One bad ruins a thousand goods.



Successful companies do everything possible to avoid bad products, products that don't work, or products that are overpriced, poorly made, with bad service. The word gets out quickly and those businesses are often sent into oblivion.



This is why it's so bad when some stupid person makes a false claim about a product or business, and it can ruin the sales for extended periods. Businesses rely on cash flow, and false rumors or false claims about products can ruin a business by interrupting the cash flow, and the business cannot meet it's financial obligations (loan payments, salaries, utility expenses, etc.) and end up closing.



Peter Drucker (famous management consultant) said that the creating customers is the most important goal of any business. This is done by doing the things outlined above. But having the customers and their loyalty is the ultimate goal.

Answer 15

I don't run a business any more but when I did I considered myself very successful.



You need to separate fundamentals from your expertise. Business fundamentals are basic, it's what you do and/or sell that's complex.



The fundamentals that I ran by were,



1) The customer is always right. Even when he's wrong...he's right.



2) The customer needs assurance that you have expertise in what your selling him. Don't put a novice on a phone or email. Get the best person to provide advice, be it sales or service. That assurance you provide of an intimate knowledge of your product or service comes across as 70% of getting a sale.



3) Get an edge on your opposition. If your opposition works a 40 hour week then do 48 or 56 hours. If your opposition does just a page of advertisement and a basket then do the same and add a forum. If he sells a computer card card then sell a card with all the connecting cables. Brainstorm up methods so that if one direction doesn't give value for money then use an orderly change and try another.

Answer 16

Wanting or Waiting to, Looking at the Big Picture, Business Big or Small, the way the do business comes down to the same fundamentals, Customer service is primary important to have a successful company, but what are the points that make up Customer Service and which should be looked at:

Customer Service is based on providing a service in a way where customers enjoyed the interaction with such business, from purchasing all the way down to customer relations. Business should also realize the damage that is caused when One bad customer service experience sticks in the mind of the customer forever and will always be a factor in future consumerism.

Business also has to understand that Customer Service also revolves around the community and consumerism that revolves around that specific company at the location or multiple locations they have offices or locations.

I hear a lot about Global Marketing and Global business and expanding but when you walk away from the developing of your business personality and building of the unique character style that set you out from the norm, and the service with in the comminute and consumerism for each area, you loose that business.

Answer 17

Recruit the best talented employee to professionally represent your business and who display the attitude that they will run the business as if it was their own.



Train them to be the best. Knowledge gives you an advantage over the competition.



Expect them to be the best and expect no less than the best every day.



Get rid of bonuses and pay them the best salary in the industry.



If they are making good money, they won't need to worry about how they can work around the system to make bonus.



Empower the front line employee to make whatever decisions necessary to resolve any problems or issues.



Give them credit when it is due. Make them take responsibility for mistakes.



Don't reward performance that is less than the best.



Make your employees happy. Give them the ability to balance work and personal life.



Treat your employees as if they were a respected member of the family and they will treat your customers the same.



Know your limits. Don't try to be the best at everything. Define what you are an expert at. Stick with it and become better at it. If you can't be #1 or #2 in a particular product or service then don't do it at all.

Answer 18

I don't have a business, but if a business's sales and customer service people delight me (as they say in Marketing 101 textbooks) I will remain loyal and spread the word. One example: I bought an expensive language-learning software package from a new company. When I wrote to say that my hard drive seemed



to be "whirring" a lot when I used the CD, the company head wrote me back offering to send me out a brand new package ! He didn't say "well, try this and try that, it's probably your drive, etc". He just offered to send me a new set right away. I was amazed. I did tell him to hold off until I knew more and I did get the problem fixed, but THAT is customer service. Apple and Amazon are 2 other companies where customer performance is consistently GREAT. If I have a concern, they listen to me.



OTOH, if a business cheats me or treats me badly, I will never buy from them again, and again, I will spread the word. I now refuse to buy anything under a mail-in rebate arrangement. Sony burned me BADLY on that, and as a result I will never buy anything from them again. Ever. Ditto HP's outsourced tech support. I spent 45 minutes on the phone with someone whose English I couldn't understand when my Pavilion kept rebooting but not launching Windows, and in the end he had me do a system restore back to the purchase date (I had backed up the important files, but basically he had me do what I could have done myself 45 minutes earlier.) My next desktop will be a Mac.



There are businesses, even established businesses, that treat their customers like criminals, and some that seem to be run by criminals. I avoid these whenever possible.



Customer service in the Answers division of Yahoo! is bad, but I don't know who's at fault for the really bad site administration. I did deal with a Yahoo! Music CS rep and she was wonderful.

But YA is free to me so still I come here. If it weren't, I would never come here.



On important items, price is *some* consideration, but I am willing to pay more to a company that has treated me as a valuable customer in the past. It's ALL in how a seller treats me. That's the most important thing to me, and smart firms know that.



Someone before me said something about mission and management. That's definitely how you get to good customer service. Everyone needs to be on the same page.

Answer 19

The question you pose in its self is the key to success. Keyword; 'distinguish'. Or as I like to call it, a USP (Unique Selling Point).



With the 'credit crunch' with us, competition amongst companies is more aggressive than ever before with profit margins further sliced to keep competitive, so a USP is more and more becoming the key to success.



So, what would make a good distinction and more importantly - a distinction that created success?



I believe the key is giving more to the client - additional extra service that may *hopefully* not entail much more of a cost, if anything to the company, but as a client, it may make the world of difference. For example; and mentioned by many already - a great customer experience/service. Even just general politeness can go a LONG way - and that is true to every day life too, just common courtesy. As they say, the free things in life are the best.



John.

Answer 20

Initial impressions are the most important. The first time i went to this bagel place I got a bagel fresh out of the oven. I continued buying bagels for a year that weren't as good just based on that first impression. It can also work in reverse. If a customer has a bad experience even once they will never use ur service again. A great way to brake away form the pack is to have great customer service and low wait times. Even if your prices are higher, customers will pay more if it is very convinent and they feel they are being treated well. Also you can compete on prices....have lower prices to draw people in and then resume prices when these customer are locked in and are using your service.



o yea, customers like me would be willing to use ur services if u give me a loan...great credit, just no degree YET= no loan......take some risks on people that need it, u might loose money in the beginning, but in the end u will have happy customers.

Answer 21

We are not terribly successful but we have survived nine years. I think one big mistake people make is to attempt to grow too fast. If you order goods on credit when you can't guarantee you'll be able to pay the bill, you are risking the survival of the business every time. There may be a return on that which you can then invest back in the business to grow it and you may miss opportunities, but at least you can guarantee that you'll still exist if you take fewer risks.



Do everything you can to fund your business with real money. Don't borrow, don't use money from a mortgage, use actual, real cash money which doesn't result in any kind of debt. If you're in debt you have to compromise and the fear paralyses your imagination and creativity. This may mean you have a tiny business for a long time but that's a price worth paying for a secure income which isn't leached away by debt or interest payments.



A number of people have mentioned good customer service. Our anonymous feedback indicates that we have excellent customer service, but it doesn't translate into income. We don't know why this is, but whereas customer service is important ethically, it may well not bring you any financial gain. People don't necessarily recognise quality or know what they need, which is not the same as what they want.

Answer 22

Many successful businesses like to "wow" their customers/clients. However, they know when to say when. Some customers will be unreasonable and have ridiculous demands.



But the old adage of "the customer is always right" no longer applies. Sure it's great to help the problem customer through dire straights and make them a champion for your business. But, to constantly bend over backwards to unreasonable requests will take up all your productive time and decrease the time with the customers that want to spend money. Don't put up with that. Draw the line and don't put up with the non-sense. You'll save yourself a lot of headache.



In the end it is your employees who are the real face of your company (even if they are employees placed by a staffing company). They are the ones who deal more closely with you company's customers. Since they are the real face of your company, they are the part of the company that you will need to focus on developing.



Focus on personal development and training of your associates. Teach them how to properly deal with customers both the good ones and the bad ones. Read the books "Customer Satisfaction is Worthless, Customer Loyalty is Priceless" by Geofrey Gitomer and "The Four Hour Work Week" by Timothy Ferris.



Another thing that successful business people do is find a mentor. Most people starting a business will turn to their non-millionaire parents for advice. But people that haven't made a million dollars will most likely not know how to teach you how to make a million dollars. You'll need to find someone who does. If you're looking for a mentor I can recommend a good one. There is a great business mentor based out of Springfield, MO named Dan Vega. He has personally steered me in some positive business directions. He can be contacted through his website www.vegagroupinternational.com. He is a great guy. He is a multi-millionaire who has mentored by a multi-billionaire named Bill Bartman. Check out his website and shoot Dan an email. He will give anyone a free initial consultation. Let him know that Mike Dunn sent you.

Answer 23

The customer needs assurance that you have expertise in what your selling him. Don't put a novice on a phone or email. Get the best person to provide advice, be it sales or service. That assurance you provide of an intimate knowledge of your product or service comes across as 70% of getting a sale.



3) Get an edge on your opposition. If your opposition works a 40 hour week then do 48 or 56 hours. If your opposition does just a page of advertisement and a basket then do the same and add a forum. If he sells a computer card card then sell a card with all the connecting cables. Brainstorm up methods so that if one direction doesn't give value for money then use an orderly change and try another.

Answer 24

Everyone answers this question almost in the same way: customer service, quality etc



I would stand for a new way to distinguish between business: their social responsibility.



I would say that a business that shares at least 70 % of the wealth with the employees is a good business and I would definitely buy from them, they would stand out from the crowd in a way others can not. If they say: we share most of our profits and that way the money stays in your community, it doesn't go away. This could be a powerful marketing strategy.



On the other hand a company that keeps for themselves all and only share a small portion of the wealth is horrible and it only contributes to human poverty.

Answer 25

As a former business owner of approximately 12 years, ( sold out for my childhood profession), the first thing to always remember is that the customer is not always right, but the customer is always a customer. This is whether they stay loyal or leave and come back as a customer. With that said, remember a loyal customer base is in itself an accomplishment to your business and a compliment to you and your staff. This brings me to the part that if you recognize the people (sales people, delivery personal, office management, etc...) and reward them this will flow over into your customer base. Remember so things are "Caught not Taught". Bottom line if you distinguish yourself from the company that only says you need to do this and that to be someone you will far exceed the standards of the competition. I wish you well on your success and hope this will put you on your road to success.

Answer 26

Customer service is of course a key, but aren't you asking more?



A niche that you fill is a good way to distinguish yourself. Or a twist on an old idea. You just need one unique feature. For us at Tiered Real Estate, it is our unique pricing structure. We offer the same full service that buyers and sellers have come to know and then we slash the price on it. No gimmicks or pay up front plans. Simply charging less wherever we can (not for the other agent!!)



The other key to a business is letting people know that you are there. BRANDING! If you don't brand yourself, then customers will have trouble remembering you. With the internet, it isn't always expensive, but it has to be there.

Answer 27

itive, so a USP is more and more becoming the key to success.



So, what would make a good distinction and more importantly - a distinction that created success?



I believe the key is giving more to the client - additional extra service that may *hopefully* not entail much more of a cost, if anything to the company, but as a client, it may make the world of difference. For example; and mentioned by many already - a great customer experience/service. Even just general politeness can go a LONG way - and that is true to every day life too, just common courtesy. As they say, the free things in life are the best.

Answer 28

These are all good answers. However, in some cases it's due to the location of the business. In some depressed parts of the country, everyone wants to squeeze every dollar they have and it's difficult for a business to distinguish itself based on service or quality that is more exceptional than any other similar business.



One selling point in those areas of the country, would be to advertise their longevity in the region and to advertise the trust the business has generated based on past experience of previous clientele.

Answer 29

Be Polite, don't ever let someone think he is not important, except when he is important, you talk them back to Earth.

It is no Use to design something, for a short term market.

It has to be superb otherwise I have no feeling to Sell successfully

Be behind your product all the way, but No one is infallible



8 needs a ..... of its own .



When Netherlands wants Economy, trust the Companies to kill a sitting Duck, IBM,KPN,UPC, and to start With 1992, Microsoft you go by the Name Avalonsoft, and you be surprised your CEO is Lady Ann Merovinga to Avalon (former Ann Microsoft) and she's my adopted Web daughter.

There now, is that so difficult for a Greedy Board and Pack of Shareholders Hounds demanding money against you dismanteling your Life's Work....

Google lates (half) unwitting victim, (I have my doubts cause the Dutch are Infamous as wel as Hypocrites, prejudice and Stupid.

.NL still has not returned my COSMICUNION.

For The Damage I want a Lap Top, That has everything double, and for every day delay, they can fork out the Time I lost again going Public in the context experiments, testing and developing solutions that work and can on a Good day in 2005, be as high as $ 150.000.00 in Presentations, Business peptalks, and Creative input

Answer 30

I would say that many if not most of today's "success" stories are being measured not in terms of customer service/satisfaction/retention but in how well a company can make potential customers believe the message they're trying to portray and get them through the door. Once the customer is in, they're on the hook and stuck, at least for the sale of the single unit.



Respectfully, in my own experiences, the company sponsoring this question (and its aliases) has not distinguished itself within its industry in any kind of positive way, so I found it interesting this company would ask such a question. I urge anyone considering to do business with this company to weigh their decision carefully. A quick look on Yahoo or Google will reveal many stories from actual customers that you should see before, not after making a potential mistake. Further, be aware that this company backs many of the mall/boutique charge/credit products out there, so it is entirely possible to establish a business relationship with this company without even knowing it, especially when you are obtaining "instant approval" at a cash register. Be careful!

Answer 31

I feel that finding a "niche market" and perfecting all aspects of service toward that market have made my small business very successful. I own a yoga center in a town where there are 5 other businesses offering yoga classes within 5 miles from us. My yoga studio focuses on one style of yoga, and offers meditation, classes in yogic philosophy, etc. All the teachers have more training than is required by law and are trained in the same style, and all classes use a subject of the month and a yoga pose of the month, so students know what they will receive if they come to class. We are the only yoga center offering this style of yoga, with every teacher being highly trained, and a full-range of meditation and philosophy classes. So if students want to practice the full range of yogic practice (and not everyone does) they come to our yoga center.

Even though there is a gym offering yoga classes right across the street and a very upscale yoga studio one mile away, none of the staff at my yoga center ever says negative things about any other style of yoga. We always say, "there is something for everyone" and encourage students to practice the style of yoga that works best for them.

By offering a specific style of yoga with a highly trained staff, and excellent customer service with a positive outlook, our yoga center has maintained a wonderful base of regular students, while attracting new students every week.

Answer 32

To be more successful, I think these areas are key:

1. Value honesty above all

2. Use common sense

3. Quality matters more than speed

4. Be willing to fire people who undermine the company

5. Offer an honorable product or service

7. Under-promise and over-deliver (instead of the opposite)



Additionally, as many here have stated, businesses that adhere to these principles receive frequent word-of-mouth advertising and recommendations from loyal, happy customers.

Answer 33

A small business owner, I have the priviledge of having much more of a say so then large corporations. I can offer personal bend-over backwards service. This is one of the reasons why credit-unions are always voted higher in customer satisfaction surveys. Heck, its the reason why I'll spend more money to shop at a Neiman or a Saks when the same items are available for cheaper at Macy's or Dillards. Service is speaks volumes.

Answer 34

HSBC is one of the sorriest companies I have ever done business with.

If I can ever get out of this deal I have with them I will never use them for anything.

They have committed Breach of Contract, they have violated the Truth in Lending Law, their customer service has found every excuse they can to send Form Letters when I have tried to get help with problem.



I have excellent credit and it is because I have always paid my bills ahead time, I pay MORE than the monthly premium and that is to every account I have.

By the time they get through my credit score will drop.

Don't use them or the other companies they back like Mitsubishi Electronics Finance.



I promise you that I will not get any satisfaction from this, just as I have never got any help or my problem fixed by sending them emails, letters and calling.



Maybe you have had a better experience with them than I have but make sure you read everything they put on paper.

It only takes one sorry company to ruin your credit.

Answer 35

Bank. I believe you are an evil creature. I believe that in the next 50 years you will be replaced as more and more people grow sick of you and technologies for things like paypal improve. What we need is a completely intelligent computer controlled bank where people like you cannot get access to people`s files, and money. I think you should stop blaming China for the worlds energy crisis and stop hording it away. A very successful business is one what will bring down the worst dinosaur of all, your entire system. Banks, pharmacutical companies, music companies ( they are one of the first dinosaurs that cannot adapt). You will not be able to adapt either, and eventualy you will be replaced by something better. I just hope I am the one who writes the program!

Answer 36

In my opinion respecting the customer needs is the first goal for any successful organization.

Studying the market well through making survey and apply the right product in the right place.

Encouraging new ideas even if its not logically accepted but may be it work.

Improving the working condition of workers , as u give them more attention and care they give u more production.

Be up to date to any new change in the environment around the business



by the way i am staff in HSBC Egypt.

Answer 37

Obviously, as everyone else pointed out, customer service. One annoying thing I have found with banks is that if I have a question (most of which are simple seeing as how I am a 21 yr old college student with a simple checking, savings and credit accounts) I tend to have to go through several people to get a vague answer. It would be great if banks (I am gearing my answer towards your business and this doesn't happen just with banks) trained their personal in a more general area so that a simple question can be answered by just about anyone. I worked for several companies, some being large corporations, others being small and family owned. The family owned companies flourished on the fact that they knew people by name, were able to give deals without having to go through corporate for an "okay", and customers left satisfied and willing to come back. The same can not be said with large corporations that I have worked for. I see many disgruntled customers at the "customer service" desk I work at now, so much that is out of my control because of corporate policies. I have to fight my own corporation to help the customer standing in front of me. So please, make it easy for one employee to help a customer. It is so valuable. A smile is great, kind words are nice, but help in a timely fashion is much much more valuable to the consumer, we are all so busy!

Answer 38

I offer honest work at a reasonable price. I work in a field where horrible greedy yuppies set another standard, which is dishonest work at ten times the rational price. Rather than be soulless like these yuppies, I offer my services according to a more humane standard.



This assures that I am honest, but it means I don't have a lot of money. I don't mind, because I am a decent person.



However to be mega-successful in America (and isn't that the only kind of success you count Mr. bankerman?) we should all overcharge, rip-off the customer and steal as many resources as you can. That's whats made this country so great, and the people in it such miserable

self involved cretins.



Good luck.

Answer 39

As a middle manager for fortune 200 corporations as well as a business owner with a staff of 30, success is measured by insuring the #1 asset ( customers ) exists only by the accomplishments from the #2 asset ( employees ) efforts. Taking care of both assets is was separates a well run successful operation vs. those who are destined to fail or at least struggle to survive.

Answer 40

Q #1: Meeting the Needs

Either you have a variety range of product or you have an easy custom ablee product



Q #2: Before and After

What value does your business added towards your customer? Has it make any significant results?



Q #3: Relationship

Business starts from a good relationship... this both expressed on clarity of defining product and after sales service... not neglecting Humility and Apologetical attitude when err occur

Answer 41

We are not terribly successful but we have survived nine years. I think one big mistake people make is to attempt to grow too fast. If you order goods on credit when you can't guarantee you'll be able to pay the bill, you are risking the survival of the business every time. There may be a return on that which you can then invest back in the business to grow it and you may miss opportunities, but at least you can guarantee that you'll still exist if you take fewer risks.

Answer 42

Our auto parts store was located in a town of 12,000 with 4 other stores in operation. Since we were affiliated with NAPA, we had the advantage of a wider product line, so we added two lines of merchandise the others didn't have - heavy truck and hydraulic hose fabrication.

We had several small fleet and single truck operations in the area, and those are mostly overlooked by the larger fleet suppliers, so we were not only able to supply their needed parts locally, but to give them discounts on things like filters, belts, hoses, and exhaust where they didn't get one before - we added over $100,000 sales annually with these parts - and they were easy sales!

The hydraulic hose set-up did not take up that much room and again was easy to do - and high profit margin. There was a hydraulic hose operation down the street from us that was set up to handle the local coal mine, which had closed. I thought that their operation may close because of this - the day our hose equipment arrived, on a Monday, was the day we found out that they had closed over the week-end. We made 3 hoses that day! This brought in over $25,000 annually in hose fabrication that ran around 50% net profit!

These two "niche" market ventures put us in 2nd place among the other 4 stores that had been long established in town.

Answer 43

This is only slightly related, but I thought it was worth mentioning.



Rightly or wrongly, I learned somewhere along the way that I'm not supposed to brag about how good a job I do, even if I do better than everyone else. Some businesses, though, seem perfectly willing to advertise themselves as the best, and I suppose they'll reap greater benefits from doing so than if they advertised themselves as mediocre or as the worst.

Answer 44

I don't actually have a business but where I work one of our qualities that maybe makes us unique is that we're a bank and when a customer calls inquring about their banking needs whether it's existing accounts, products, etc there is a live person and there is no automated service to go thru which in my personal experience can be a royal pain.....but it contributes to our success because of word of mouth from satisfied customers that are more than happy to hear a live human voice than an automated one...

Answer 45

My business, and the ones I will frequent, know customer service and how to take care of the people who spend money with them.



I give people what they want and what they need and I do it right the first time. Calls are answered, emails are returned promptly and I send thank you cards.



Unless my clients are too busy, I meet with them in person, even if I can do everything on the phone and computer. I talk to them and laugh with them and let them know I appreciate them. I form a rapport with them. I keep notes about what they tell me is going on in their personal lives. If client tells me her daughter is due to have a baby, I mark my calender and make sure to send a gift.



I network and attend business after hours events. People meet me and know me, and hopefully remember me.



My main competitor does none of this. I produce a superior product and have superior customer service at a fraction of the price. I am just two months into my new business and the response has been more than I ever imagined.

Answer 46

not sure about being more successful, but certainly some businesses (for example large international banks) distinguish themselves from their competitors by running either meaningless or idiotically simple advertising campaigns at Heathrow airport. What do you mean "on my latitude"? that's a stupid thing to say. of course people have different opinions, that's not a creative idea.



If i was in that business and i want to distinguish myself from others to be more successful the first thing i'd do is sack the fat lazy creative agency who came up with that drivel and find some one halfway decent to do my comms for me.



(I loved the old campaign with the horseshoes, chillis, cheese etc etc etc btw)

Answer 47

I will go along with the other responders and say customer service. One thing that I find important is handicapped access. Most banks have doors that are difficult to open. I haven't been to one that had an automatic door that would open with a button. Getting through one of these door in a wheelchair is impossible without assistance. Just some food for thought.

Answer 48

People want to be listened to and valued.

We don't rush our customers through as if they are in a supermarket checkout or talk to them from a script, we talk to them and find out about them and their needs.

For example a man who said he wanted to purchase a van for his business had been given several quotes from different companies but still was not happy.

Our salesperson asked him about his family life and he mentioned how he was dreading the weekend as he had to cram his large family into a small car because he could not afford to run a larger car and the van.

We advised him to buy a van that easily converted into a family vehicle for the weekend with plenty of fold away seats and space, therefore only needing to run one vehicle.

He was so happy that he recommended us to many other businesses. Some of them phone us up just for a chat.

So remembering there is a person on the phone has attracted more success for us than any other advice we have been given.

Answer 49

There is only one thing that ultimately affects your product or service - employees. The people working for the paycheck can cross over to your best asset when they are given more than lip service. Don't just put a spin on what they have now, ask them what they want. Acknowledge their efforts and encourage the quiet ones that don't make trouble, but do their job-day after day-are on time and manage their own life on the side. ps, these are usually women, with little power, raising a family and feel patronized from the men that manage them.

Answer 50

Rightly or wrongly, I learned somewhere along the way that I'm not supposed to brag about how good a job I do, even if I do better than everyone else. Some businesses, though, seem perfectly willing to advertise themselves as the best, and I suppose they'll reap greater benefits from doing so than if they advertised themselves as mediocre or as the worst.

Answer 51

It is always ending a transaction with me(the customer) satisfied. I understand things go wrong- but the company should consistently make whatever goes wrong( a return of merchandise, a bad service experience etc.) right in the end-quickly and without a lot of hassle for me. It is more than customer service, its a culture that seeks to understand and consistently satisfy the needs of teh cusotmer- at all points in the transaction-before-during and after the "sale"-a chain is only as good as its weakest link-so if any part of the experience is not "closed out" to my satisfaction- the whole experience is tainted.

Answer 52

Innovation, clear and concise company procedures, prompt service, provide alleyways for improvements, "carpe diem" always make the best off the company's day and always look to improve the company each and everyday, cutting edge technology, most important of all general and technical communication internally within the company should be at the highest level possible. Communication is the cause for the loss of money in businesses and corporations. and as well as marketability and charity and involvement in the community.

Answer 53

Don't go for the jugular vien with additional costs, fees, paperwork, etc. Offer "human" customer service that is way beyond polite and helpful. Common sense is a must and trust of your employees is even more important. Praise your people and teach them how to praise others. Be an active boss that does not micro-manage the employees. Treat your employees really well. Don't get bogged down in computer software monitoring of every little thing. It causes a sour workplace and turnover. Evaluate all kinds of shifts to break the monotny. Treat everybody like you want to be treated. Nothing wrong with the Golden Rule!!!

Answer 54

Train your customer service agents to give excellent customer service. Those that excel at taking care of your customers, reward very well so that they stay. (There is nothing worse then calling an American company and the person on the other end does not speak conversational English.) Also remind your email customer service to remain very professional in correspondence with the customer.



Finally, answer the phone. Most company's have automated phone systems that will never offer to connect you to a -live- customer service agent. I should know how to get in touch with your customer service agent within the first sentence and not the very last in a long recorded option list.

Answer 55

A Businesses distinguish from others by:



Experienced and Proactive Company Leader.

Specialized Human Resources Department. (To take care of Hiring, Training and Development.)

A VERY CLEAR and defined organigram.

A developed Company vision, Mission and Goals.

Answer 56

Customer service is vital. I have stopped doing business with many companies because I was unhappy with the treatment I received. You must have control over your employees and teach them to treat people with respect. One bad experience can turn off a customer for life.



You must treat people fairly. If you manage to scam a bunch of people with the "small print," you will make money for a while, but, in the long run, you will lose.



You must have customer service representatives who speak clear English. It is extremely frustrating dealing with a CSR who speaks broken English, has a very strong accent, or speaks in "Ebonics." When I get a CSR who sounds like they barely finished the third grade, I take my business elsewhere. If that's what you put out on the front lines, what kind of idiots are working behind the scenes?



.

Answer 57

This is why it's so bad when some stupid person makes a false claim about a product or business, and it can ruin the sales for extended periods. Businesses rely on cash flow, and false rumors or false claims about products can ruin a business by interrupting the cash flow, and the business cannot meet it's financial obligations (loan payments, salaries, utility expenses, etc.) and end up closing.

Answer 58

Quality.

HSBC's obsession with being the largest bank has left them overextended without the ability to deliver a quality product to their customers. Not an uncommon story as that seems to be the prevailing attitude in the financial industry at large.

If HSBC decided to focus on quality they would easily stand out from the rest.

Answer 59

I would say honesty and lack of selfishness are the keys. We pay our employees a living wage. We sell quality products. We buy from ethical producers. You can get through life being dishonest and selfish and end up with lots of money. But to be truly "rich" you must be honest with your customers and employees. And also give back to the community and world around you - that's true success.

Answer 60

Honesty - By informing the customer before any transactions take place, of the possible problems they may encounter after their purchase and providing them information on how to fix it.



This is what the old foggie told me once, it makes good sense.



Every business is comprised of three components, and out of those three components, A good business should be the leader in at least two of these components over it's competition.



Customer Service - Product Quality - Price

Answer 61

Free Perks if you send enough money. And a cool logo. And good customer service, because if someone has a problem with a flaw in a business that is negitively affecting them, they wouln't want to go their anymore or atleast wouln't give out a good word to their friends. BUT obove all what makes a buisness the most Succsessful is as i said earlier FREE PERKS if you use them their services or spend enough money kinda like American Express.

Answer 62

Service, service, service!



Nothing differentiates a quality business than making sure the details are dealt with and the customer is not bothered by company policy that drags out a transaction.



The longer a company takes to resolve any issue makes me wonder about their professionalism.



When in doubt, keep the customer happy. They'll remember this the next time they require goods or services.

Answer 63

to give an equal service to every customer, but you also need to be exclusive to every customer and make them feel like only they exist. It's quite a cliché. It's also aftercare, you shouldn't jus sell a service or a product-you need to take care of the customer after as well.. I think if you employ staff and give them good incentives then they will be better at their roles and more motivated.. This will equal happier customers and happy staff and this will equal money after the above is fulfilled.. The last thing you want is to have staff running down the employer behind it's back! Also, a little bit of innovation goes a long way.

Answer 64

4) Relying on quality, rather than marketing hype, that is their reputation, to sell something. In my experience, using Hollywood as an example, the more buzz on television you see regarding a movie, the greater the warning sign you should not go watch it. As a general rule, the worse the product, the more the commercials.



Now advertising is a vital part of business, but excess is a surefire sign they are selling garbage. When businesses lie, big or small, its obvious. General warning signs that a business is bullcrapping you;



1) The staff is overly nice, but as nice as they are, they have excus

Answer 65

First businesses need to be able to answer one very important question clearly and succinctly at all times through all aspects of their communication channels and customer touch-points.



This is the key to everything else, the mission, the vision, the brand. It becomes the glue, the what sticks in that differentiation between your business and the other guys. And nothing else matters.



But this is the thing that most businesses, even the big guys, get wrong more often than not.



It's why 90 percent of all advertising and marketing collateral fails miserably.



The question you need to be answering at all times, in all actions, in all communications is "Why should anyone do business with you?"



THIS is the foundation question I answer in all of my client interactions.

Answer 66

As a bank you can distinguish yourself by actually giving customers what they want.



My credit card company mails my statement 20 days before the due date instead of 30. They won't tell anyone this, but they do it because it creates more late fee revenue. I want them to send the bill 30 days before it is due.



My bank pays a fraction of a percent interest on the money in my checking and savings accounts while they loan the money out at six or seven percent. I want them to compensate me for allowing them to hold my money. How about paying me 1.5 or 2 percent?



My broker charges me $2.00 each quarter for mailing a paper statement to me. I have over $30000.00 sitting with this broker and they collect a fee every time I make a trade. I can live with the fees for trading but I want them to send the quarterly statement for free.



We customers may be too lazy to look for a better option but we are not stupid. We don't forget how you nickel and dime us at every opportunity as if giving you our business wasn't enough for you. As soon as we see a convenient opportunity to move our money to the competitor that isn't into all of the greedy b.s. but actually cares about building its good name, we will do exactly that.



So, now you know how to truly distinguish yourself.

Answer 67

I dont own a business, but the one thing that big companies can do is not be like the other companies at all. Forget about making billions of dollars and provide the service you say you are going to. Lower interest, no late fees, and no over the limit fees.

Answer 68

In order to grow a successful business, you have to have a PASSION for the business that you are intending to be in (for example -- if you are very enthusiastic about your product (for example -- photography or house painting) and are willing to show that you are PROUD of your work (by doing the best you can -- meaning that your painting projects are first rate (no messes) or your photos are EXACTLY what the customer expected and then some (and you are very clean/neat, very CLEAR about your pricing, are PUNCTUAL and very much interested in your customer's needs) ...



and you are willing to treat that person with RESPECT and DIGNITY -- LISTEN to them tell you what they want -- and then DO THAT ..



You will be able to distinguish yourself amongst the others out there doing a similar service or producing a similar product.

Answer 69

I have for many years run a car busines. And before that I was a recognised top selesman for a couple of firms. I am not particularly intelligent or of high cultur, but I have always liked people and greatly respected and appreciated every individual I have talked too, even when I was not able to sell him a car. I have no doubts in asserting that the road for success in business and particularly in direct selling, stands in searching or perceiving the customer needs, and the capacity of the business or salesman to squarely match it. In other wards the customer when he goes out interested in looking in to some cars most of the time he is not psycologically ready to buy, although perhaps he would if he were to stumbles on the right salesman with a decent product. Considering that the average customer when he is marginally thinking of a new cars, frankly he has very many problems to overcome before he makes up his mind to buy a particular one. Simply because he has the problem of disposing of his used car at a decent price, then he has the problem of choice, as for size, image performance name plate, price, how about his wifes preferences, and very many other factors to consider before he finally settles for one, which normally would involve a considerable amount of time., and very many trips to various car dealerships. Unless he stumbles on a professional salesman that perceives or draws out of him all his perplexities preoccupations and worries, puts a nice honest package in front of him, which suddenly matches not only his needs but he is able to overcome all his worries, and bingo the customer with relief will be happy to buy immediately, because all along he was not really looking for a particular deal, but for the right salesman capable to make a complex transaction nice and easy for him. Never lie, a little b.s. helps, but no exagerations. Considering that the difference in between an happy customer and an unhappy one has 99% of the time have to do with money, never let an unhappy customer out of the door, never keep a red cent of his money if for some reason he wants back out of the deal, in short he is the only asset you really have, your entire shop or businees is a huge overhead, even when the customer is wrong, be smart let him outfox you if at all possible, because he is like a seed if you want him to sprout, let him think that you are a great guy or you run a great business, in that way you will have him working for you for the rest of his life, or against your interests if you let him go with a bad taste in his mouth. Can you immagine what a thousand happy customers constantly putting out good opinion about you or your business will do to your success? Or the damage caused by thereverse of the medal?

Answer 70

Visionary thinking with real-world application. This is especially valuable in a 'customer-oriented' company. This combination will consistently demonstrate the difference between leaders and followers.



The world is constantly evolving and a visionary approach acknowledges this and seeks to either preempt change or to actually cause changes that bring new value for both the company and the customer.



My company is constantly searching for (and applying) new creative technologies that are perfect for 'developing countries'.

Answer 71

To have management that really cares about the employees that are the first thing your customers come in contact with. Also have management that will do the work when there is a problem with an employee.

Having fun,caring, and service conscious employees.

When you have a product that the customers will buy do not change it.

Answer 72

HSBullCrap is a sub prime lender, my payments went from $498/mo to well over $1100 when the interest rate skyrocketed. It seems ironic and funny HSBullCrap would come here and ask a bunch of random people on HOW to run a company correctly. I know they desparately need the advice. I hope HSBull Crap goes under like most other lending institutions.

Answer 73

Any company, in order to be continuously successful must always deliver three things:



1. Products or services that people want or need.

2. Prices that people are willing to pay for those goods or services.

3. Good customer relations/customer services.



Forget or lose any one of those three essential ingredients and chapter 7 is just a short trip away.

Answer 74

Customer service is not just a catch phrase in my company. It's taken seriously above all else! We are not the lowest priced company in our market (community management) but associations get what they pay for when they hire us. Those who leave us looking for something better often return. Also, the employees are treated VERY well. Happy workers make for a successful work environment, after all. Your employees are the face of your company and the companies who forget this are the ones that fail.

Answer 75

By being accessible. In my world it might mean no minimum orders. In a banking world it might mean being willing to open an AU account for a small US business that has less than $25,000,000 in sales. But you're asking the right question! Let me know when you've lowered the bar a little :)

Answer 76

Now retired but, when I was in business, I promised quality service and delivered it. Promptness is also important. I offered emergency service 24/7 at extra charge of course. Some other measures used by business people are offering cheaper prices or gifts of purchase. I think quality still wins.

Answer 77

r companies where customer performance is consistently GREAT. If I have a concern, they listen to me.



OTOH, if a business cheats me or treats me badly, I will never buy from them again, and again, I will spread the word. I now refuse to buy anything under a mail-in rebate arrangement. Sony burned me BADLY on that, and as a result I will never buy anything from them again. Ever. Ditto HP's outsourced tech support. I spent 45 minutes on the phone with someone whose English I couldn't understand when my Pavilion kept rebooting but not launching Windows, and in the end he had me do a system restore back to the

Answer 78

It's a sad day when a question about my looks got 40 answers in 5 minutes, and a question about the business world has been on the homepage of YA for 3 days, and it only gets 240 answers.

Answer 79

There are 4 strategies to compete:



1. Price

2. Quality

3. Differentiation

4. No strategy.



Advertising your competitive advantage is important also.

Answer 80

People that actually speak English! And when they do,people that speak proper English. Say Thanks and May I help you,don't grunt and moan when I ask for help in your store where YOU are suppose to work!

Get your employees off their cell phones. I'm sick of waiting for someone to finish texting so I can get some help.

Stop nickel and diming me,don't tell me that you have a wonderful banking service to save me money,buy charging me a $5 fee every month automatically so that in case I go under the $100 minimum (even for ONE DAY!) I won't be charged the outrageous $15 for the month. After all you still have my $99 or whatever for the month multiplied times millions of other customers and you're making interest on. So STOP ACTING LIKE YOU'RE DOING ME A FAVOR by not stealing more of my money. (COMMERCE BANK)!

...

Don't try to play political wordgames with me,I've never fallen for them and I never will. Verizon and DirecTV try this garbage. "No equipment to buy!" Sure you have to RENT it every month! First box may be free,but who really has only one TV in the house. So you need to pay for 2 boxes every month. That's sneaky and why I've canceled my service.

...

Making sure all the items in the store are properly priced and well stocked!

I actually had a bank refuse to cash a check that was from not only their bank,but from the exact branch I was in. I was told I would need to open an account to cash it there! You don't think we remember those things? And we remember them forever!

Don't have your employees tied down to specific items. After all if an employee has to put up a new display and bring out 20 pallets of stock and only has 1hour to do it,they tend to be pissy when asked a simple question by customers because they simply don't have the time and wont get recognized by management when they do help the customer and make them happy!

Do something for charities!! Sure you can reap the publicity from it! This weekend there is a charity dunk tank at my local supermarket! Will I be there? Yes! Will I go in the store to buy something? Yes even though my shopping for the week is done!

What about blood drives? Employees and customers can give blood,the employees could earn a day off and the customers could earn something from your store!

..And don't be afraid to have an extra employee or two. In my life I've left hundreds of dollars in merchandise behind in a shopping cart because the store had only one employee at the register. Once I was actually told that the manager was trying to save money so he let one cashier go. So for that one employee's salary he lost that much in sales in one day easily!

My motto? "If I gotta wait,I gotta go!"

Answer 81

HSBC is like many companies that has forgotten the true reason they are in business. The CLIENT! While the stockholders, investors and Wall Street are business partners of sorts do get the better end of the service. When a company starts to treat its clients the way it treats the investors business will flourish. To many companies today bend to the will of the "Street" and no long live by their own code of ethics.

Answer 82

I don't have a company yet but I have a dream and I am working towards it. I would like to found a company where the profits are people. Not that financial profits are not a priority but financial profits would be consequences to having gained people profits. I wish that this company to improve lives of people. It would not be a charitable organisation at all. In fact, it would be a hard-core profits-oriented company.



First, the owners of the company needs to define its Manifesto of Success.

Here is the manifesto of success for the company I wish to found.



1. The company should face the realities and changes that has taken place and is continually taking place in the world.



Many people feel that a modern company should be bold enough to break new grounds and devise new business models. However, being bold alone is not a good attitude. It should have a clear vision of potential technologies and markets and be at all times ready to invest in those technologies and markets.



On the contrary, it would require boldness and blind faith not to follow groundbreaking business models that a clear vision has revealed to be necessary.



2. The company should be people-oriented and people-centred. People orientation comes in both forms - the workers of the company and the customers.



3. The company should focus its products and services on the customers. Offer and construct products in structures and forms that a customer can relate to and most likely use.



4. The company should focus its products and services on current expertise available to the company at an affordable cost. Do not produce products and services that the company has no expertise. Offer products and services that is in natural resonance with the customer.



5. The company should acquire expertise that it can afford if the company has a clear vision of a profitable path in an unfamiliar market. There should be a plan of evolution, development and profits towards achieving the market goal.



The company should not hire workers it cannot afford to keep. The company should be willing to work with service providers rather than hiring people that it may one day need to make redundant.



6. The company should be prepared to change its plans, models and strategies. It should continually reinvent itself.



7. The company should grow. The company should persist in seeking out channels of growth and channels of affordable expertise to fuel that growth. The company should grow in that it allows its workers to grow and provides for promotion and leadership succession.



8. The company is a microcosm that is dependent on a larger macrocosm. A company that is not environmentally responsible is spelling its own long term death because an unviable ecological environment would finally lead to unviable business environment for everybody.



9. The company should have a long term vision of being a positive force in the social development of the world community, first starting with its own workers.



10. The company needs to be structured (functionally and financially) in a way that would minimise the differences in happiness between workers, customers and investors.



As good models, Google, Yahoo and Microsoft is creating a foundation which in 20 years' time would become the natural medium where a new generation would publish their music and movies. These companies have a clear vision on providing products and services that are in resonance with the customer. They know that one day they will inherit the market from traditional media companies that fail to resonate with the market.



The company needs to take leadership in social welfare issues that clearly relates to the profitability of its business and the business of other companies. The company should be in membership of a league of companies interested in providing affordable healthcare and benefits to its workers.



The company should endeavour to make its products and services safe and making the workplace safe. Workplace safety, product quality and safety would translate into more profits and lower operation costs. It is cheaper to run a safe workplace when the culture of the company is having people take care of each other.



The company should prepare to spinoff non-core expertise because the company would have no possible career path for those expertise. I believe it is cheaper to help an unrequited ambitious worker be your future business partner rather than paying to retain them. Moreover, the company needs to seek out business partners.



The company should resonate with the productivity modes of its workers - like flex hours, work from home. The company would minimise commute time for its workers.

Answer 83

For HSBC in general, you need to learn how to hire the right people first and foremost. Too many of your associates are arrogant and belittling and those that are not are scripted to the point of agony. Try letting the conversation be just that; a conversation. I understand your desire for lower AHT, higher ROI, and better customer retention, but you will not get any of those things until you start to treat the customer with respect and dignity regardless of the customers' situation. In this day and age where banks are considered the second most evil empire (only oil companies are viewed worse) it is up to us to treat the customer with the utmost respect and understand that it is from the customer that we receive our checks. Your bank personally could learn how to hire more effectively and ensure that communicative abilities are of paramount importance. I don't mean just the off-shore associates; I am also talking about inarticulate associates within the US and UK. Place them in a non-customer facing environment or manage them out the door and get higher quality associates. Of course to do this, you have to increase your wages but you will receive a higher ROI on those quality associates than the poor ones you have now.



Kudos to your organization for having the courage to ask this question in this type of forum.

Answer 84

if you can undderstand business is businesss ,nothing else are more important,then there are a way to success,when there are buisness,change take place,change may be take risk,not glambing but a breakthough,it's money made money,knowing a chance,don't consider too much,do before too much consider,the secret is do it,don't think too much.future come from today,every moment form today is chance,don't look at the way the world look at you,have confident,do it.there is a joke,satan went to business man and said ,can we work together,buisness man said:"no time."that is ,time you spent is important,listen more and take every oppotunity,to make success.most important in buisness mind is make your product famous,bank made your company or bank famous,when you earn big money remember to do charity,then come and go,there is a perfact time,good ideal may included creative ideal,some company that can't avoid to cut down some worker,may plan to be employ worker as,work there is money,rest no imcome,this is call take term,you work this month you are to be pay for three month,you stop someone came in ,you will not be paid for some time untill time to comeback you earn again,when you come back in term,your pay start again,this ideal can be made in buisness,another thing is look for intelligent people to give ideal,and pay them,they help you to earn a lot.share up and down.some time up can earn ,down can earn more,learn the way TO EARN FROM A IMPPOSIBLE TIME.LOOK WIDER,WISDOM AND BE BRAVE,THAT IS BUISNESS.

Answer 85

I think one of the most overlooked things these days, is that so many business owners, managers, etc., don't spend the money on PROFESSIONALS to create their logo, marketing materials, etc.



Everyone seems to think that if they own a couple graphics programs, (or their son, secretary, etc.) that they're an expert.



So you see these crappy, amateur graphics everywhere, that have no cohesive identity.

And as a graphic designer, it irritates the hell out of me that this continues, without these people having the slightest idea how cheesy their marketing materials and logos look.

Answer 86

3 things are the most important to me...in order

1. Good service at the time of sale and after the sale

2. competitive pricing

3. great selection of product and knowledge of the products as well

Answer 87

customer service - talking to human beings and make sure customers feel valued not used

offering unique and time saving options

ease of website navigation

if there is a complaint then address it honestly and do whatever you can to make things right even if it isn't your mistake

offer state of the art information or products





one company that i have found that has the all around best customer service, products, trouble shooting and repair is Directv. they have been voted best in the nation and as a customer of theirs i have turned down paying a little less with similar companies because i know i can count on them.

Answer 88

Talking. If only more people would just come out and talk with their potential customers, the number of failing businesses would diminish. Business is just a matter of people corresponding with each other, and if it is only a transfer of money and product then there is no real human communication. People need to be open to talk, and listen, to each other to succeed.

Answer 89

Businesses compete with other ones to be successful.

To start a good business, a Number 1 tip is to guarantee satisfaction to their customers. After all, they are the ones buying their product!

Answer 90

Success in business is not only measured in terms of profit.



It should also be measured on how your business contribute to the communities that surround you. Doing some community outreach programs and community building is one, helping people become entrepreneurs is another.

Answer 91

The most successful businesses are the ones that rip off the most people. Like Banks and Insurance companies.

Answer 92

I know there are many ways for business to stay on top and each business has its own tool to beat the rest.



I say with experience, its innovate innovate innovate. Every single company can make the same thing which you can, but if you innovate and spend on innovation, you will get that edge to jump over the other.



For example, why Apples iPods are more favored than other MP3 players? Apple has spent on innovating something new on their MP3, they started making their iPods easy to use, unlike other companys which focused too much on sound quality. Apple focused on simplicity, compatibility and usability, all through innovation.



Now they lead and the rest are just following.



Hope I helped.

Answer 93

customer service. Not making a customer speak to a computer and press 10 different buttons just to try to figure out how they can actually speak to a person who can care for there needs. The worst thing is when a consumer is already unhappy with a product or service and when they call to speak to someone about it they have to go through the above aggravation.

Answer 94

"Unique" is the key word. You have to be willing to do something that benefits your customer and your competition isn't willing to do. I love my bank even though their inside customer service isn't so great, they're open on weekends, evenings and holidays, they don't charge fees on many services such as cashing in change or buying Visa gift cards, and they have a ton of great locations that seem to get updated frequently.

When I ran my small business, that's the quality I brought. My customers knew I was always available, and that their concerns were important to me, whether they were a tiny customer or a big one. They also knew that I wouldn't promise something I couldn't deliver.

Answer 95

For me I remember a company I don't yet know best by commercials - Geico,. Lexus, Mass Mutual, Rolex, etc. for a few examples - the others I know by their excellent products, like home cleaners like Lysol and Glade or Scott products and I have never even seen a Sparkle paper towel commercial and I use that the most. Stores I go to for the price mainly as my income is below $20,000 a year now and I am single, so I have to budget and go to stores rich and others including wealthy relatives think are too good for them stay out of.... :) Banks I go to if the tellers aren't rude and they're no service fees!

Answer 96

Uniqueness.

Answer 97

Forget thinking outside the box! Don't try to reinvent the wheel - just keep it simple and follow these rules:



Have a 'niche market' - to set itself apart from its competitors. Also having a 'non-competitive' pricing strategy; which is beneficial to both the customers and the institution. Finally, being committed to existing customers, which in turn will create customer retention and growth in 'new business' via the 'word-of-mouth factor' experienced by those existing customers.

Answer 98

The hydraulic hose set-up did not take up that much room and again was easy to do - and high profit margin. There was a hydraulic hose operation down the street from us that was set up to handle the local coal mine, which had closed. I thought that their operation may close because of this - the day our hose equipment arrived, on a Monday, was the day we found out that they had closed over the week-end. We made 3 hoses that day! This brought in over $25,000 annually in hose fabrication that ran around 50% net profit!

Answer 99

Customer loyalty will decide your business success, because doing business is "creating values", the values for the customers. Make sure you keep them happy, you will gain the market.

Answer 100

First and foremost, the exterior image must match the internal experience! On top of that, superb, prompt and courteous service is a must. There is nothing worse than an expectation that has not been met.

Finally, constant growth is necessary, clear understanding of your customers and competition, while always being one step ahead of their needs.

Answer 101

1. Great customer service - easily getting a helpful, friendly person on the phone when desired.

2. Good product, a little special or different from the competition.

3. Good pricing.

Answer 102

Believe it or not, being a sole proprietor has helped my business prosper. My customers appreciate the personalized service and my attention to detail. This combined with an internet presence has resulted in satisfied customers all over the US and in other countries too.



I believe we are entering into a new era of self-employed people prospering like never before. Technology and the internet enable anyone with good ideas and a product or service to market to reach millions of potential customers.



http://www.endangerous.com

Answer 103

Everyone that answered "customer service" couldn't be more accurate. It has been my experience that Customer Service is the single most important characteristic when it comes to large businesses as you, yourself, are a part of.

Answer 104

I expect now a business to have a coherent and easy to use connection between its online and brick-and-mortar storefronts. For example, I'd shop at Wal-Mart instead of Target online because via Wal-Mart's 'site-to-store' feature I can pick up my online order at the local store instead of paying for shipping like I'd have to do at Target (last time I looked, anyway).



For a bank like HSBC, you have to convince me you are a credible banking institution, because I don't know who you are - there isn't a local HSBC branch where I am that gives me a sense of security (however flawed that reasoning may be). Anyone could set up an online bank, how do I know I can trust you with my money?

Answer 105

The business that I currently work in it's a medical facility medical equipment to be exact there are several others here in the same town but we get all their customers because we are just flat out nicer than the competition. They don't want to deal with the other people because they act like they are put out with them and we are warm and friendly and speak to them respectfully. I think it makes all the difference in the world.

Answer 106

The absolute #1 quality for any business is customer service. It's hard to find people who know what their product is or cares these days, much less provides good customer service. When I get someone knowledgable about their product and is willing to go the extra mile to make sure everything works, is up to par, and I'm happy, I'll remember that and go back to them again.

Answer 107

I think that customer service (and not just lip service) is what makes the difference. It doesn't matter what the product is, how good it is etc, if customer service sucks you lose clients.



And word of mouth (factor in the internet) is now even more effective.

Answer 108

Our family business is Express Printing, we try our very best to make our clients happy with the printing orders that we design for them.

We believe that word of mouth is our best ad. We have been successful without any formal ads. Please call Joe at 832 797-7877.

We print business cards, and etc.

Answer 109

By genuinely caring about their consumers, not just developing elaborate marketing strategies based on consumer surveys to design ploys and unnecessary marketing products to take more of their consumers money. By doing good for the community and the world around them, instead of just caring about their own interests.



A business that really distinguishes itself, in my eyes, has integrity, and it concerned about doing the right thing over making a profit.

Answer 110

Famous Libras like Toni Braxton, John Mayer and Ashlee Simpson decided to be singers. Are you good at songwriting?

Answer 111

Making sure that they are NOT borrowing money. Making sure that the debt to income is an attractive number.

Also, make sure you never ever fall for the most common scam called HELOC or Home Equity Line of Credit.

STAY OUT OF DEBT!

USE INDEX FUNDS.

NEVER use annuities!

Answer 112

Get into a business that controls the financial destiny of its customers then jack the interest rate to a juice of 29.99%. That's how to become successful.

Answer 113

By treating their employees like the companies most important asset, rather than their biggest liability.



By offering decent pay, benefits, rewarding work well done, and most importantly--respect.



This creates espirit de corps, and will show, without the employer having to do much else.

Answer 114

3. Proper staff training - ensure that your people convey the right message to the consumer whether through their speech and/or actions.

4. Company image - good quality stationery, write-ups, company brochures, and etc can go a long way when enhancing the trust of the consumer in your company.

Asker's rating & comment

Answer 115

In early 2008 Jeff Johnson spoke at the Secret Society of Traffic and Conversion Seminar for his friends Buck Rizvi and Brock Felt. The attendees paid thousands to be there but sharing his 3 hour presentation from the seminar with you for free. he outlined the social networking and web 2.0 strategies that he personally uses to drive tons of traffic to build his list and make more sales. he coveres dozens of topics including, but not limited to, internet marketing, creating a sales funnel, search engine optimization (seo), myspace, youtube, squidoo, email marketing, wordpress, rss feeds, openx ad server, affiliate marketing, blogs, getting more traffic to your sites, social profile pages, social networking, social media, and more!

Answer 116

y close because of this - the day our hose equipment arrived, on a Monday, was the day we found out that they had closed over the week-end. We made 3 hoses that day! This brought in over $25,000 annually in hose fabrication that ran around 50% net profit!

These two "niche" market ventures put us in 2nd place among the other 4 stores that had been long established in town.

Answer 117

The one thing no one really mentioned... build a personal relationship with your customer. Whether they're there for a day or a year. When a costumer feels you're truly interested in them, they'll keep coming back. Make the same effort for your customers as you would for your best friend or family. Even if you're product isn't the best or the cheapest, people like to go where they feel wanted and comfortable.



Listen to your clients and their needs. Don't just *pretend* to listen. They're not idiots, they know if you didn't pay attention. Even if their suggestions are absolutely the worst thing, it's better to gently guide them in the best direction for them, than simply do as you please.

Answer 118

Find ways of integrating yourself with society to prove to the public that you are socially active and not a faceless company.



- Sponsor things;

- Fund events;

- Run competitions where real people can win cool prizes;

- Offer an anonymous suggestions system;

- Open public services in your name.

Answer 119

Management and the Board of Directors who need to set the example of transparency,Global Ethics,etc.



Do a Yahoo search on this: Sam's Club 6625+management -and-Sam's Club 6625+Board of Directors

Answer 120

Be to your customers what your competitors aren't. Know the competition and find their weaknesses. Make them your strengths. Be aware of your weaknesses and frame them as strengths.



Advertise, advertise, advertise. From Google's adwords, license plate holders, business cards, even invoices, whatever, you must promote your business constantly and tirelessly. Be inovative.

Answer 121

Community involvement, charity work, volunteer ism, serving on the board of directors of local nonprofits....all these things equal increased exposure and investing in the community..thus investing in the company's future and future employees.



For example a company that works in aerospace might invest in the local science museum to educate the children who could later work for their company.

Answer 122

For me its customer service and overall price of goods and/or service. One reason Home depot always gets my choice over Lowes is because of their customer service and their prices overall are cheaper.



So if you cater to the customer, of course your always going to come out on top since the customer IS the one keeping your business running

Answer 123

Customer service...



Having employees that have a good command of the English language.

Answer 124

I think they need to ask government how to do better. If they do not do well then they should get government to bail them out. They should really just let George Bush or Bill Clinton run everything for them.



This will be the best company.

Answer 125

You have to cover people needs with the best way.For example a money blog must post things interesting about money.

A business blog top interesting things about business.What matters is quality, not quantity.

Innovation and open-minded spirit is a must.And social media too.

Answer and cover people's needs and you are on top.So simple.

Answer 126

Reputation is everything.



Keeping track of your reputation is one of the most important things companies can do improve success. It is also one of the last things companies do, when they are in trouble.



There is a lot being said out there about any company, managing your reputation risks is key. Find out what they are saying, and who is saying it and try to improve their perception of your business.

Answer 127

2. Free Services - not charging for basic necessities like printed & mailed statements of account, maintenance of accounts, use of the customer care line, membership renewal, etc. Something like this really makes your company stand out.

3. Proper staff training - ensure that your people convey the right message to the consumer whether through their speech and/or actions.

Answer 128

There's a saying that for a business to be successful, you only have to know three things: location, location, location.

Answer 129

Customer service-good customers service. If I cannot get to a living human being or cannot understand the person I am taking with I will switch my business elsewhere.

Answer 130

Business (especially in California) need to bring customer service in a multilingual way ( Emphasis in Spanish language )

Business in CA need bilingual personnel A +.

The Spanish speaking sector of our communities are so important.

Asians, Latinos and Anglos together.

Answer 131

i think it depends on advertising mostly and who you're targeting. the apple commercials have been incredibly clever lately where they have the average joe talking to a person from the geek squad. freecreditreport.com is also a very clever advertising company. banks that offer free checking for students and have clever commercials like american express seem to be quite successful.

Answer 132

As far as YOU " HSBC Bank" You stick up for crappy stores like BESTBUY that sell useless junk & even when the store is wrong & deceptive and lies to comsumers to sell mershandise. You still demand they they make payments on your stupid credit card just because you work for them.

So you are NOT distinguishing your company as anything except being just as crooked as BestBuy.

Answer 133

i own a small business, and our success has been simple. We do qaulity work which we are proud of, we bill fairly and work harder than our competition to do a good job. we stopped marketing in any way 10 years ago.

Answer 134

1. NO SMALL PRINT SURPRISES! The total price, bottom line price with no extra charges.

2. Under promise, over deliver.

3. No contracts, nothing written that only a lawyer could understand. No long winded ANYTHING!!!!

4. NO HIGH PRESSURE SALES!

Answer 135

Listen to customers and give them what they want. Also don't try to screw them over. Customers know when you're doing that and resent it like nothing else. I'm about ready to dump my current bank because of the excessive fees they keep charging. I'm also going to dump Verizon due to their misleading billing practices--I talked to one of their agents about switching plans to lower my bill. The next month it was $40 higher than what I was quoted and customer service wouldn't budge on it. Once I dump these companies I will never go back.

Answer 136

ya ya good customer service is great. employees r part of the biz too and having a unique employee is great too. someone that brings in new ideas to the bizness is always good to have around in case the current manager's mind is on blob status meaning "they cant think of jack sh*t!"

Answer 137

I called my auto loan company , HSBC



So then the first thing that they tell me "Your payment is due today, what can I do for you miss ,,,,"



That was kind of rude, I think ,because I was calling at the same time I was paying my bill. I knew my bill was due,

so why do they tell you something like that before they even ask you about the reason for your call?



I was calling about a strange message appearing on my account.

Answer 138

Lying to customers is not tolerated.

If someone can do something better than we can, we tell the customer the truth.

We try to reflect in our billing a price that we would be willing to pay.

We are punctual and hard working.



It's amazing how few people can do these very simple things.

Customers absolutely love us.

Answer 139

I actually had a bank refuse to cash a check that was from not only their bank,but from the exact branch I was in. I was told I would need to open an account to cash it there! You don't think we remember those things? And we remember them forever!

Answer 140

Respond to customer needs. I'm a customer of HSBC and many times I feel like I'm just a number without treating me like I am a person.

Answer 141

I think branding is most important to catch the customers eye.

knowing who you are and what you want to tell the customers about yourself is what creates the story that attracts customers to your business.

as many have said customer service is important, but this is needed to retain customers. your first and foremost goal should be to attract them first. it's part of the classic business model.

Answer 142

business's seek to differentiate their product/service from that of other business's so that consumers are more likely to buy from their product/service over that of its competitors. distinguishing a product or service from similar competition gives that product/service the "edge" enabling it to be sold at a higher price or at a higher quantity, opposed to being unable to sell at a higher price or higher quantity, as consumers see no reasoning to buy from a firm that charges a higher price if it is no different to that sold by its competitors.

Answer 143

Being honest and forthcoming with our clients.



I think in a bank however, I'd just prefer one who didn't participate in questionable lending practices that lead to bankruptcy and having to be bailed out by the federal government and repaid by the taxpayers.

Answer 144

The easiest and most essentual way to have a successful business is simply to be better than your competitors in what you do and how you do it.

Answer 145

Customer service plays a big roll. All companies depend from them. Besides, no company will survive without them.

Answer 146

Always the people first, then service, then product...everyone knows that the value of the transaction lies in its ability to connect producer or provider and consumer.

Answer 147

I think The way to make one business distinguishable above another is to make it unique, make it so that people will want to go there to see or to be seen. For example Brown Thomas, Harrods, Bloomingdale's M&S. etc all are unique and have that factor that make people want to go there. Like Brown Thomas, Harrods, and bloomingdales all have that Posh factor that make people want to spend money there, even just to be seen with the bags, no-matter how expensive it is. and M&S is really up to date and make their food seem soooo sooo delicious in their adds!

Answer 148

By carefully monitoring the experience of customers who call the company phone lines. If I wanted to listen to Beethoven I would do that in my own time, not when calling customer services :-)

Answer 149

By giving the best possible quality (of product/service) to customers at the lowest possible price - DELL, AirAsia, Citibank comes to mind. HSBC is definitely NOT in this league, no matter how clever their PR and A&P.

Answer 150

Competitive intelligence, vision and empathy toward socio-political and economic issues. Businesses need to work in a symbiotic atmosphere rathar than in an insulated vacuum.

Answer 151

Businesses can distinguish themselves from their competition, by establishing a brand image with a unique selling point. The unique selling point could be based on price, quality, customer service, social responsibility and including after sale follow ups and so on. Both the unique selling point and the brand image should be enshrined in the mission statement of the business and clearly communicated and impressed upon all staff members for even implementation.

Answer 152

One way is to listen to your consumer base, as a recent client of yours i had a card with this bank. I had it as a in case of emergency card. Yesterday i got a letter which simply stated we closed your account due to in activity. Thanks i think i will take my business else where and already have.

Answer 153

I think that the products that are offered are important as important as customer service and how you deal with account and customer queries

having worked in the BANKING INDUSTRY FOR A number of years this -- brings me to the SECURITY ASPECT OF ONLINE BANKING AS WELL -- and then onto the other issues -- how good are your online products are they lines or real accounts with good account managers to take care of all your financial needs -- so that in BANKING YOU ARE ABLE TO USE AND EXPRESS WHO AND WHAT YOU WANT AND NEED YOURSELF -- AND THROUGH THE EXPERTISE OF THE FINANCIAL ADVISORS IN THE BANK INVOLVED -- HOW WELL IS the net issue packaged as well as the banking halls themselves -- it is about service and security -- banking is all about what can be done to assist a customer -- be it with financing loans -- homeloans and everything else in between are there products that meet the needs of the lower income sector of the market online -- and how well does the BANK SELL ITSELF TO THE PRIVATE AND THE PUBLIC SECTOR INVESTOR OUT THERE -- HOW MUCH of a recall and public base does the BANK HAVE --- BANKING IS BIG BUSINESS AND SMALLER BUSINESSES COMING IN AND WANTING TO DO BUSINESS -- need good business plans a willing hand from the people involved -- how much effort has gone into the marketing of the business itself -- a good idea always sells itself ------------------------------------------------ I think to be a success -- you need to have people know who you are and be good at dealing with queries or at the very least have a good rapport with all your clients in the client base in service based businesses --- for a sales business you need to be on hand to have the stock that is on the website -- you need good core investment and investors -- and the support of the public around you -- you cannot sell a burger without the right packaging and therefor a business needs to meet the needs of the people who are --- there needing the service as well................................................................................................



SUCCESS COMES FROM PEOPLE KNOWING WHO THE BUSINESS IS -- WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU ARE TO THE

SERVICE INDUSTRY IN SERVICE BUSINESSES -----------------------



IN SALES -- THE PRODUCT MUST LIVE UP TO THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE ADVERTISING....................................................................

Answer 154

I don't own a business, but there are many competitive advantages that a business can have, including:



Customer service

Product quality

Pricing

Innovation (R&D)

Long-standing reputation

Answer 155

Study the market continuously and make necessary adjustments if needed. Never forget the Customer is VIP.

Answer 156

Customer service is what keeps our customers coming back But in general ........It is all about branding with a logo and distinctive colors. Having your mark on everything from our service trucks, our business cards, magnets we stick on peoples refrigerators etc....

Answer 157

While some businesses have a Comment/Suggestion box for Customers only, we have Comment/Suggestion boxes for Customers and Staff because we consider our Customers and our Staff to be the most important individuals to our Business.



It's related to the Google concept in letting their employees know daily that we don't ever take you for granted or for you to even think we take you for granted.

Answer 158

Get rid of those moronic, frustrating automated menus and hire real people, and make sure they at least have a vague familiarity with the English language.

Answer 159

I definitely notice if they support local charities. I can tell you which banks locally are the biggest supporters. I see their names over and over, and it gives me a good feeling when I think of them, to know that they support the causes I care about.

Answer 160

Customer service,quality product/s,reasonable prices,and accessibility

Answer 161

Good customer service, good customer support: like having english speaking people handling phones, instead of outsourcing it to India, which its frustrating trying to understand them.

Answer 162

Word of mouth.



The businesses that impress me the most are the one that get free advertising from its customers.

Answer 163

Its all about the customer, if you make them happy you will have a good business.

Answer 164

customer service is key.You need to have an actual person to speak to and someone in this country.I find it funny that your company has its csr service center in India and they try to say their name is Bob! You can tell everything is scripted and they go a little overboard on thanking you and stuff like that.I have had many problems with the csr service with your company simply because i can not understand the person i am speaking to.

Answer 165

it's all about marketing and promoting yourself... customer service, like the others said is a thing that every company does. so that is NOT the key.



it's all about bringing people to you, not to keep them there...



example: everybody is talking about mc'donalds because they have unheathy food... but they have excellent publicity and that makes their stocks rise every year...



marketing! if u'r on a street full of chocolate stores, then u make urself a nice little dentist cabinet. it's simple as that...

Answer 166

Me :)..........I believe by putting my personal touch into everything that I do makes it unique and customers comfortable. This builds life long customer relations and excludes me from my competition.

Answer 167

Good Customer Service, with no pushy sales rep, and no lying please... Say only what you/your company mean it and are gonna do it.. Don't say tons of things just to get that sale and turn around and give B.S, like oh that's not what cust srv rep meant or oh that's not our company's policy...You might get that one sale but with UNHAPPY CUSTOMER, you are gonna lose 5 other potential customers which you won't even know...

Answer 168

Unfortunately, HSBC is such a terrible company with such a terrible reputation for BAD customer service, I don't quite see the point.



It's like trying to explain cute and cuddly to a snake.

Answer 169

'New is beautiful' : Imagination and creativity are two qualities which are required in order to make the customer discover something he didn't expect. Freedom of mind is a sine qua non condition that allows such qualities.

Answer 170

Following are the ways



*Customer is most valuable person in your premises.



*Customer is always right.



*Prompt service.



*Always available for reply/answer/quarry



If you want additional information. Please read

following books and behave as per book.



1. You can win- Author Shiv Khera

2. Six spritual ways for saxes?- Kapoor

Answer 171

Go back to China Im IN A BAD MOOD and DONT NEED SOME ASIAN smart *** to give me a question about business, you know the question's answer so fu*king answe it yourself

Answer 172

take care seriously to customers



every enterprise know it but do dif...



some big enterprise told the customer is no.1 is first is very important but when customers contact them



no car parked or go to 10th floor for parked but has space reserve for CEO on front.........that never parked..

Answer 173

take care of your people, take care of the general public who rely on your products or services. be social conscious, be environmentally responsible, reduce waste and energy consumption.

really, this is how i will rate how successful a business is.

Answer 174

I agree with TOTTI#1 and many other answerers about service. It's the most important thing. Here's another: Underpromise and over-deliver.

Answer 175

Service, compassion, good products, knowledgeable, clean staff and the essence of being confident with your product, your staff and the respect of the consumer....therein lies a lot of business accumen

Answer 176

One way to do this is by _respecting_ your customers instead of treating them like a number - or, in the case of the video game industry, a criminal.

Answer 177

Of the same form of industry, more branches and commercial would usually be stereotyped as more successful than the others in the industry.

Answer 178

may be like this putting a question in yahoo answers and making a very innovative way of reminding people of HSBC

Answer 179

If the customer service representatives spoke english!

Answer 180

sorry i would like to help but that would mean loosing my success and being more vulnerable to my competitors.

It is a secret.

the secret to success.

Good luck

(Tip: this question might be successful in achieving what you are looking for- see Jedi Master <. I hope you get it).

Answer 181

To have good customar service and to always re-new youselves with the little details.

Answer 182

Memorable service

Answer 183

Banks should not give Mortgages to people that cannot afford to pay them off then sell them as SIF to unsuspecting banks that don't realize what it was until it was too late

Answer 184

It begins and ends with quality of service. My experience with HSBC has been that their customer service is VERY POOR and as such I closed all of my accounts with them a few years ago.

Answer 185

Customer service is number one. In fact, it is your company which recently lost MY business because of it. Ironic.

Answer 186

Paying people to do the job of researcher to find out the solution to the problem that your large company has,rather crass for such a large business to want research carried out for free on yahoo answers,(shame on you)

Answer 187

Customer service is the main thing. Treat the customer right and they are always right even when they are wrong, they pay the bills, unfortunately

Answer 188

1) Sell a good product or provide a useful service at a fair price

2) Stand behind it your goods and/or work.



Banks don't count.

Answer 189

Well, we DON'T ask questions like this, pretending to actually be INTERESTED in what the respondents say, so as to get our logo on Yahoo Answers. It's a cheap shot.

Answer 190

Taking a risk. Talking about innovation. Aiming for a bar that no one knew it was there to begin with.

Answer 191

Honesty,fairness,courtesy but most of all customer satisfaction, no matter what the cost(within reason).

The customer is always right!

Answer 192

They pay Yahoo lots of money to have people answer "questions" like this for the sole purpose of getting their name in print. It looks like you got plenty of suckers to answer.

Answer 193

Complete transparency.

Answer 194

customer service goes a long way. if you value your customers business and don't nickel and dime them, and don't make them feel nickel and dimed, that consumer is much more likely not to switch to a competing business.

Answer 195

Being on this website is just another marketing scheme. I hate commercialism.

Answer 196

Look after the costumer and the costumer will look after the business!

Answer 197

Customer service and follow-up. If there is a problem, don't assume that it was taken care of, make sure it was.

Answer 198

I prefer to do business with people who do Not nickle and dime me. I don't want to have to pay for every single little service and extra. If you want my business, then act like it. Never act like you are doing me a favor.

Answer 199

I am the lead artist for a company that caters to high school kids.



I have piercings, a "wild" haircult and such...not your typical corperate company representative. Since I'm pretty much just out of high school I look like them and think like them-- this isn't a forty-something person in a business suit who doesn't think like a teenager, this is a person that is on the same level as the kids and even dresses like them. So not only do I get to take their ideas and design specifically with these kids in mind, but they're a lot more cmfortable with me around so I get to be the company speaker as well-- I represent the company and I represent the kids all as one.



The whole idea gives the kids the feeling that they're being represented by someone that *is* one of them, and they feel that they can talk to me and take their ideas for the project to me without feeling like they're talking to a cold, corperate adult that might look down at them. It helps us out a lot because the kids are comfortable with us instead of being intimidated by us.

Answer 200

positive appearance

real people answer the telephone

community involvement

equal opportunity for all

health insurance

pension

Answer 201

Being innovative and building a culture of trust.

Answer 202

First of all , the company must have their policies and believe so that their stuff can practice the company believes and objectives. Set a direction or guidance on what the company is doing and about to do?



Second, must have a "Edge" meaning is the business it self must have a advantages over their competitors. To know your competitors is you own strenght



Third, Define conventional matter and make new idea for the ever changing environment. Respond to market needs instead of what you think is correct



Forth, Bring new ideas from your stuff. take the best idea and keep the rest of the idea for future needs.



Fifth, In ever 5 year or less business changes, be prepare for the change and ready to adapt

Answer 203

e customer care line, membership renewal, etc. Something like this really makes your company stand out.

Answer 204

sponsorship for particular country/ area sports and charity works. And this also a good strategy to promote and make image of urself

Answer 205

customer service, for a bank, flexibility

Answer 206

When they put their names on a sports arena. HSBC arena, home of the Buffalo Sabres....best team in the world woohoo!!

Answer 207

Good prices and good service- both at the same time.

Answer 208

a great business gives me ( a customer) something that I can not get anywhere else.

Answer 209

well with HSBC, i recommend you stop stealing money from people that do business with you.



your company will never be trusted again after stealing from me.





your greed will be your undoing.

Answer 210

I will want good service otherwise i will never ever look @ the same plce again.

Answer 211

1) The staff is overly nice, but as nice as they are, they have excuses for everything, even the most trivial things.

Answer 212

We are original, for one thing! But yet a Pirate, or more politically correct... Mercenary Professional Sailor. It's all about, Building a better mouse trap.

Answer 213

by having employees that are truly happy to work for them and therefore they will give a positive experience to the customers.

Answer 214

Old news but this question should be updated to our new generation business owners. Back in the past when Americans were coming up with these good ideas a post similair to this was released on the first black board and on the media. The goal was to steal the Americans idea's and put A and B together and C your way out of poverty. Chinesse grew their nation by stealing the Americans Idea's. Lets not forget that this falls in the same category by knowing a lot of people have good imaginations so lets rob their success stories and somehow turn china into a more successful country! I'm not stupid I know USA owes china in currency but China cannot have War with us because we hold the investment giant. Anyhow, I've built my dream by going door to door.

Answer 215

Your credit cards are horrible!

Your interest rates are rediculous!

Your fees are outrageous!

You can start by discontinuing your predatory lending practices you pigs!

Answer 216

costumers services and also fight for everything the client wants for a reasonablee price.

Answer 217

Customer service, I can't say that enough. Customer service, customer service, customer service...

Answer 218

Hire top people who speak english and pay them well all the rest will fall into place.

Answer 219

I bank with HSBC i think they are the best bank by far!!



I hate it when companies are so pushy in trying to get you to buy everything straight away and when you ask a question they just gloss over it with irrelevant details and they are almost too desperate for you to sign/buy whatever they are selling!



Successfully businesses should avoid that type of selling

Answer 220

Advertisements.

Answer 221

Become a part of the home country's culture(ex: walmart)

Answer 222

be socialist and spread out the money in stead of the big guns keeping the money them selves.





promoting their product

Answer 223

energy saving methods (going green) can help a business gain a better reputation.

Answer 224

My husband owns his own business, a specialty construction supply company. We've been in business for over 22 years, and we both feel that customer service is what's kept us in business for as long as we've been. We've had competition, and when there's a slow down in demand like we've seen lately, usually our competition falls quickly. We price our product fairly, and our customers know we do. We also don't play around with pricing. Our customers know we're giving them the best price on their product we can, we don't have sales unless we're selling 2nd quality product, or a discontinued color that we need to get rid of. We also have excellent turn around time for our industry, which is metal building products. We can deliver most of our orders within 3 business days, which is unheard of in many markets. We don't operate out of a fancy shop, as a matter of fact, when people first see our business they're amazed at how much business we do out of there, but keeping our overhead low helps us keep our prices low. Our customers don't expect a fancy office building, but they do expect us to deliver their order when we say we will, and for the most part, we do--within a 2 hour time frame as well.

Answer 225

I think customer satisfaction is based on employee satisfaction.



love

Pluto

Answer 226

customer service.

Answer 227

do not overcharge or gouge, great customer service,and availability of product.

Answer 228

Good customer service, good products, the company should have technology and should be up-to-date, and good managers.........They should help the poor..........

Answer 229

make a profit

Answer 230

Style and PR.

Answer 231

costomer service

Answer 232

Sorry, Im not sure.

neon signs?? a cooliaa loGo??

Answer 233

Low prices.

Answer 234

Remarkable customer service ....Can Nordstrom top that ???

Answer 235

Hm.... the GREAT HSBC bank dose not know??

Answer 236

By being as aware of customer & business needs as about the compulsions of a free market economy, including competitive ethics.

Answer 237

um i dont know how to answer this question

but i think its so cool cause my dad works for u guys!!!!!!!!!!

haha sorry im no help

Answer 238

Advertising and branding is the key.

Answer 239

Definitely advertise wherever you can.

Answer 240

custmer service

Answer 241

Great examples of good businesses are Peet's Coffee and Tea, and Google. For example, Peet's coffee always gives customers promotional gifts, samples, great service, and a way to feel like they are part of a team of members united together for this company. Also make sure to keep your customers and your employees very happy. Take Google for example, their employees are made to feel at home. Google helps them look for new homes, orders lunch and food to their office so that they don't even have to get up. They have everything they need at the tip of their finger. Google offers many many benefits and keeps their employees very happy to work there because an environment in which employees feel at home puts them at their best work...

Answer 242

Reputation is EVERYTHING in business.

When a company losses that it has NOTHING!!!!

Answer 243

j

Answer 244

This is probably it www.myspace.com/crimerhymes.

Answer 245

Customer service is the key. It seems like businesses disregard this important concept.

Answer 246

free market research???



please at least attempt to disguise your question as something...

Answer 247

A better mousetrap, truly innovative ideas, leadership in showing the customer unknown new sensible options rather than merely staying behind with the pack scambling to eek out a living presenting and providing only tweaked tired old options. People want to be inspired about the future and a better quality of life. (That and a slicker corporate website that doesn't trap you in it and won't let you exit, by the way, sir.)

Answer 248

Customer service and after-sales service.

Answer 249

new technology. Helping to fund, create, invest in, start up, and in all cases to promote new technology. Money return will be later but CHina is in a place where they must promote new technology

(fund, loan monies to, help create business plans for, fund creation of new markets for)

Answer 250

It can depend on who your market audience is: In some businesses they attempt to capitalize on one broad audience. I think that the pharmaceutical companies hit the nail on the head by targeting referral points (meaning Physicans, and providers who prescribed or recommended their products). Meaning a pharmaceutical company's marketing plan is surgical, specific, tailored, and adapts to becoming a relationship in marketing/communication. So beyond the traditional answers, I would look to see where and how referrals might occur for a product. Some examples currently used by businesses are "coupon book" or "special"/school fundraiser" (to use a school base as a target audience. Some use sponsorship of events or locations as a means of gaing a sense of referral, and other companies use some sort of customer or employee incentive program. I think the key is there is no one single way, and that in marketing and referral programs key organizers and dynamic thinkers are worth their weight in gold. Getting the right people and giving them the power to be creative in convincing groups is essential. In healthcare it helps when the marketing rep for each sector (we'll use this word) is capable of providing two way communication. Meaning that good programs are programs that constantly solicit feedback. The reps need the power to tailor the marketing/product/contract for each client if necessary. The big flaw is that most feedback programs and customer support programs are designed for current customers or at least new customers. A good referral marketing plan would tie in feedback, two-communication, and target non-customers. I mean why isn't some one my customer and what would they like us to change? As my father would prove, "Find out what will make a person a customer on a personal level, one on one, and then in time you'll find out what you need to do to make an entire group or market a customer".



In making ourselves stand out we might want to consider how we stand in. Standing in is how our product seems to fit with the others. In areas like selling milk this can be tough so I'd say you have to focus on a good sales department. But in areas like say cell phones you can look at making your plan really the best. In big business we sometimes frown on providing too good a service because simply put it raises the bar or lowers the profit margin, so we are really trying to offer a product (say cell phones) in a way that makes us the most money but keeps us competitive. Airlines and even home construction do the same thing. In these kinds of industries perks or the sense of economy are the two ways to stand out. I think that a business that can provide both options stand to make the best possible gain.



Another issue behind the scenes is always leveraging capital, and the abilty of a company to invest resources into future savings and technologies or services that will allow them to be more competitive.



I didn't mention customer service yet, and that's because customer service is about serving customers. Unfortunatly customer service is not about gettting customers or findout out why we lost customers! We need to find a way to merge Marketing and customer service together to find ways to fix problems and get more customers.



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In Banking and Financial Management:



1. "Affiliations and Referral":

Customer service is not but it's not what gets me in the door. Affiliation got me into Citi Bank because when I got a credit card at CompUSA, Best Buy, Sears, Barbecue Galore they all used CitiBank. So in a way there was referral by having the company offer me interest free loan/credit for a time.

2. "Assigining Specialists with Empowerment":

Customer service is what will get me to walk out the door. For example, in Bank of America they don't have a coordinators for specific life circumstances. When my wife died it was horrific dealing with BOA but with another bank they had me call a central "death coordinator" who followed the law, gave me their condolences (first time with any of 5 banks), and handled every issue quickly and in respect. In another issue I had a problem with my mortgage being late but really I paid it on time early and for some reason (the bank explained this to me in detail) they credited my early payment as a principal payment and then charged me a late fee for not making my payment on time out of a direct payment from a bank account that I had set up 4 year earlier and didn't use. The situation occured when that account was closed due to unuse and somehow this triggered a condition where the payment had to come out of this now non existant account. The key here is that I paid and due to some computer the person on the phone and their were many, and I had to get a lawyer, refused to use common sense. Common sense, and the power to take reaonsable action, not only the power to be nice and explain how I'm wrong is essential. So not so much customer service but rather employee empowerment, or at least the ability to be referred to someone who is empowered (setting up experts for specific situations). Think of it like this, every day an employee might be able to field 1000 problems, but when they get stuck just one a day or once a week we need to as managers figure out when this happens and get someone into a position to take those calls as a referral (just take the burden off the back of the general worker).



3. "Making me an individual":

There are great customer service banks but being nice to me, having a nice smile, and answering my questions, even calling me to say hi, isn't the same as tailoring to my needs. I wrote a letter to my bank and explained how I spent over $100,000 and paid off this amount in two years with a balance less then $5,000 per month and asked for a lower interest. My letter went up and the employee at some desk said no, and at this bank no meant it had to go to a senior person (and so forth until yes occured, only VP's could give No's on letters) for review who approved after review a 0% credit card, of which we have spent over 500,000 on. That bank gets 90% of my banking, 99% of my money, 100% of my investments, and all of my loans. By the way the same bank had a death benefits coordinator as I mentioned. But they didn't have the one thing city bank had which was the referrals. I had gotten this banks referral from my employer who used the same institution and it made cashing my checks easier at first. This bank is not as amazingly friendly as say citi bank or as say HSBC but they responded to my individual needs and had people in place who took over when the common employee would be at a loss. Finally this bank beats HSBC and BOA, and CITI banks rates when I compare on savings, CDs, and loans every time.

Answer 251

give things away! sounds silly and obvious, but it will work

Answer 252

Quality, in-demand, affordable product or service offered by friendly, knowledgeable, credentialed and trustworthy professionals.

Answer 253

Time management and timing are the most important part of my business.

Answer 254

Field experience.

How to get more credits out of suppliers with less bank borrowings.

in making a quick turn around.

Bank should see who are their good paymaster.

With good turnover.

Not great titles in running away with their money.

Some were good with paper works too.

Right under their nose.

Luke 8.10,17

What do you think?

Answer 255

Well, say with respect to customer service. It would be nice to call ask something and then call again and not have to explain the same thing over again. Have a record kept on file, where a rep will type up the basic description of a problem.

Answer 256

consistency and advertising

Answer 257

To keep it short and simple -- give the people what they want!

Answer 258

to be more unique in service, quality, and how they are towards the community

Answer 259

FREE STUFF!!!!

Answer 260

It depends upon the market and who is the "audience."



Interesting question but too general.

Answer 261

You should offer FREE BANANAS to poor people.

Answer 262

color scheme