Value Beyond Technology

As a business owner, we have several hats that we wear. Production manager, salesman, accountant and janitor are just some of the tasks for which we are responsible. Tasks, however, are not the only things to be balanced but individuals as well. We have customers, vendors, employees, and of course, family. Each of these needs to be balanced.

photo by Photos8.com

Our business relationships are what fuel our sales. To illustrate this point let me state the obvious - people buy. In other words, people are the ones that make the purchase. How you communicate with your customers is vitally important. When your customer leaves, how would they describe their experience? Were they pleasantly greeted? Did they feel "pushed" to buy something? Was help nearby and available when needed?


It is critical that we understand who are customers are. When was the last time you sat down and took a good hard look at who your customers are? Are they mostly male or female? Over 40? Teen-agers? What are their needs/desires and how are you meeting them? When you can describe your customers in great detail, it is then that you are in a position to tailor your products and services to meet those needs. Too many times we "fall in love" with our products. This love tends to blind us and we become more loyal to our products than to our customers!