Sales Truths: It is Important to Treat Every Customer Equally

Published

10 years ago

January 18, 2015

Dave Richardson

WHY IT IS TRUE: Being totally honest with yourself, you will probably notice that you cannot treat every customer the same or give the same effort to everyone. This is because we have been wired to focus on the potential dollar amount of the sale, and what the customer can do for us. A well-dressed customer driving a BMW will have everyone’s complete attention when he walks through the door. However, when an elderly man or woman or teenager walks in the door, most of the staff act busy. Some walk away from the customer hoping another staff member will take care of them.

PLAN OF ACTION: Consider making a simple change. Adopt a creative standard to view every customer as a person. Hustle to greet every customer and give them a first rate experience regardless of what they’re looking for or what they buy. Set a goal to impact their life in a meaningful way and add value to their experience. In the long run these people will become not only good customers, they will become your greatest source of referrals. — David Richardson

This article originally appeared in the February 2015 edition of INSTORE.

Family Legacy, New Chapter: How Wilkerson Turns 89 Years of History Into Future Success

After 89 years of serving the Albany community, Harold Finkle Your Jeweler faced a pivotal decision. For third-generation owner Justin Finkle, the demanding hours of running a small business were taking precious time away from his young family. "After 23 years, I decided this was the time for me," Finkle explains. But closing a business with nearly nine decades of inventory and customer relationships isn't something easily managed alone. Wilkerson's comprehensive approach transformed this challenging transition into a remarkable success story. Their strategic planning handled everything from advertising and social media to inventory management and staffing — elements that would overwhelm most jewelers attempting to navigate a closing sale independently. The results speak volumes. "Wilkerson gave us three different tiers of potential goals," Finkle notes. "We've reached that third tier, that highest goal already, and we still have two weeks left of the sale." The partnership didn't just meet financial objectives—it exceeded them ahead of schedule.