Your Business an UPOD or OPUD ?

This last few weeks a number of news articles
given me pause to think about how many different
types of people run their businesses. It seems 
that there are basically 2 people/business types:
either an UPOD or OPUD.

You all aim, of course, to create your best 
work and showcase it in places that will attract 
customers, make some profit to allow you to pay 
your bills and keep your business viable.
But, those are YOUR needs and desires...

How do you rate from your customers
point of view? What are your business ethics?
How do you treat and relate to your past,
present and future customers? Do you reach 
out in a friendly approachable manner or do 
you come off as aloof and on an unreachable 
pedestal with only your assistants left to 
interact with the public?

Are you only aiming for the upper strata
that are also cutting back on spending at 
this time? Or are you creating items priced
for the average Joe/Jane, so they feel like
"you value them" as customers also? Or at 
least give them the option to make partial
payments over a time until their purchase is
paid for? Many customers today crave a 
"personal touch" with the artist and to them 
that gives your work extra added value.
 

In these challenging economic times, I am reading 
and hearing and experiencing that TRUE 
public relations is the Number ONE way to 
start attracting some business back ,or more, 
in your direction.

That not only includes selling an item at a price 
reasonable for the type of customer you are 
wanting to attract, but also following thru 
with true customer service? Do you do the 
"little extras" that make your customers feel 
appreciated? Do you send a reply "Thank You" 
message to acknowledge their email, letting them
know that their email has been received and you 
will reply in person as soon as you can?
Do you ask them AFTER a sale, what you could 
have done to make the experience easier or 
more pleasurable for them? Do you send them 
a follow up Thank You note about a month after 
their purchase inquiring if they are enjoying 
their purchase? 

Do you do small things like sale incentives, 
maybe like keep track of your customer's 
birthdays and offer them a percentage off if 
someone wants to buy them something 
""Special" for their birthday? Do you allow them 
to create a "wish list" of your products that 
someday they might want to purchase so others 
can use it when shopping for a holiday, 
anniversary, whatever the occasion gift so they
can KNOW the person will "want and appreciate" 
the gift they received?

Have you ever conducted a poll to find out
what other versions of your products or 
services your customers would appreciate?

Since your customers ARE your bread and
butter, why not ask what makes them 
about their opinions so you can "best utilize"
your 2nd best asset as they are they are
the ones that allow you to pay your bills? 


Basically, what sets you apart from how
others treat their customers? Are you 
treating your customers in a way that would
make you be Excited to be treated by
another business? Would you brag to your
friends about the way you were treated?

Someone once said: 
"Fulfill your customers orders and 
then exceed them."
Do you bring Tranquility and Joy  into 
their lives or stress and chaos?


Other have summed it up in with the two 
acronyms OPUD and UPOD.
Do you "Over Promise and Under Deliver?"
or "Under Promise and Over Deliver?"


Just some thoughts to consider before
we head into the holiday gift-giving
time of year.. and for the future.


May all of your dreams and your customers
expectations be exceeded from now on.
 
Discuss freely amongst yourselves....
Ideas and feedback always appreciated.