The most successful people in the world do not have people in service to them; they are in service to other people. Think about Domino’s Pizza. A few years ago, this pizza chain had reduced profits with low sales all over the United States. So, they changed their tactic. Instead of making pizzas according to their recipes, because that is the way it had always been, they asked their customers what they would prefer. It turned out, their customers wanted a better-tasting pizza, and so Domino’s went to work creating one. Now, profits are back up, and the company is doing fine.
Let’s say, for example, that you’ve been running your business for the last six months. Everything is going great, and you’re on your way to meeting your profit goal for the year. An email has been your preferred method of communication so far, but you’ve noticed an uptick in the number of customers who want to use Facebook Messenger. You could a) try to persuade them to use email or b) meet them where they are and cater to their needs. The most likely result of choosing option b is a group of happy customers.
Ask yourself: who is your audience? Who are the people that are going to be responsible for your success? Your customers, of course, are the people who buy your products and services. Some people look at their audience like they are here to serve them and their needs, and in fact, the opposite is true. You need to be here to serve your audience. You need to find out what they want and what they need and then provide it to them. No matter if you are providing a product or service if you want to be successful, then get ready to serve your audience.
Take Time off for Mentoring
Your customers aren’t the only people that you should be serving. Helping people after you have already become successful is important, but you don’t have to wait until you’ve reached your goals to start helping other people. There are many advantages that come with helping people with some of the areas that they’re struggling with, that you’re able to assist in. First, you’re going to feel great because you’re helping someone change their life, and that is one of the biggest rewards and the most fulfilling things that we can do as human beings.
Also, you’re going to be teaching yourself at the same time you are teaching others. They say that that is the best way that you can learn something – by teaching it to someone else. You’ll be helping someone, and you’ll both be learning something valuable as you strive for success. You’re also going to get some major motivation from helping others, especially if you can help them succeed. Your own enthusiasm is going to go up, your motivation is going to increase, your excitement will be high, and your successes can be greater than they have been before.
You might not have thought about it, but those same people you’re helping now could end up being more successful than you in some areas and could turn into valuable relationships down the road. Most people are going to remember that you helped them, and not only would they be willing to do a favor if they’re in a position to do so, but they might also even seek you out and offer.
Seek out Ways That You Can Help Others
Whether you are mentoring other people to be successful in the same industry that you’re in or making sure that you provide your customers with the best service possible, you’re going to actually have to go out and seek ways to help people. They may not come to you. So, what are some of the ways that you can find people that you are able to help? How do you know that they need help? Most importantly, what do you have to offer that is valuable enough to teach others? This last question is important, not because there’s something that qualifies you to be a great teacher above all other things, but because you’re going to want to know the answer to that question so that you have the confidence to teach.
As for finding people to help, your customers will probably come to you but make it clear that if they’re looking for something specific, even if you don’t necessarily deal with it in your own store or business, they should ask you about it anyway because you might be able to help. Make sure that you post this on your website somewhere and go to social media to offer help as well. As far as mentoring goes, there are forums all over the Internet with people that are seeking advice, some of them better than others. Join informal networking groups in your city or a national professional network. Try to find people who are actually serious about being successful, like-minded with your own values and goals, and willing to accept your help. There’s no sense in helping someone who isn’t going to put in the work because this will not give you any of the benefits that come from helping people.
Go Above and Beyond for Your Customers
You want your customers to be happy. This means good customer service, but if you really want to shine, go above and beyond with every single customer that you get. Do absolutely everything you can do to solve the problem and make them happy, and you will reap the rewards. They will talk about you to their friends, their colleagues, and their family members, and when they need a product or service that you sell, they’ll be back to buy from you again and again. This is how Amazon has become so successful, by cultivating a reputation for customer service that is matched by no one else.
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