How can businesses save money without sacrificing customer service?
by Natasha Christou Digital Marketing ConsultantIn the current climate
of bigger, more competitive markets, great customer service is paramount. You need
to build a brand that fuses excellent service with superb value for money, but
you might think that such a combination comes at a hefty cost. This doesn’t
have to be the case though. Take a look at these great ways to keep business
costs down while maintaining the quality service that sets your business apart
from your competitors.
Go greener!
The narrative
surrounding climate change is hard to avoid. After all, we must all do our bit
to help reverse the effects of our harmful habits related to human activity. If
your brand is yet to fully recognise this, then now is the time. By opting for
an eco-friendlier business strategy, you will benefit from lower costs,
allowing you to focus on your service and tap into a new niche. Many customers
are looking to see commitment to the issue of climate change, and by embodying
these values, your customers will notice.
Adopting a more
conscious approach to your managed
print solutions is a great first step towards becoming a greener
business. You can opt for toner cartridge recycling schemes and printer
recycling facilities easily. Reduce the carbon output of your office further by
committing to turning lights off and unplugging devices where possible,
bringing your electricity bill costs down.
Another great idea is
up-cycling. So next time you want to give your business or office a refresh with
some quirky furniture additions, why not consider choosing vintage or
second-hand pieces? You can create a unique workplace by experimenting with
aesthetics and this is a great way to do so while also being greener —
throwaway culture is a key element of the carbon boom that needs to be tackled.
By making these small
considerations, you can add an element of value to the service that your
business offers while also saving costs.
Outsource some activities
Outsourcing might seem
like another expense, but it can free up a lot of internal time which allows
you to focus on improving your product or service. From social media marketing
to investing in a PR strategy, outsourcing can help develop your brand image. A
creative marketing agency is perfect to consult for these kinds of services,
and you can get involved directly with how each strategy is generating —
allowing you to consider the things that you know your customers value already.
You could also
consider outsourcing other areas of your business operations such as payroll
and recruitment. The recruitment industry itself is worth a staggering £35million,
so take your business to the forefront of sourcing personnel and commit more of
your time to boosting internal value for your customers.
Home in on your target audience
Failing to identify
who your target audience is can lead to substantial financial losses. Without a
target audience identified, you could be fuelling projects which aren’t
benefiting you or your customers. If you take a ‘one-size fits all’ approach
to business, then you are missing the mark when it comes to making the right
investments.
One of the key steps
towards increasing customer value is by listening to the people that you are
trying to sell to. But customer feedback is a tool that often falls by the
wayside. The things that you could learn might provide you with a new focus for
your strategic decisions. Or, and you might identify areas where you are spending
a considerable amount on yet not seeing any results in.
Creating marketing
personas is a great task to begin with, and you can carry out a wealth of
invaluable research to help you along. From finding out how your customers
discover your business to understanding their buying behaviours, you can gain a
better understanding of exactly why they choose your product or service over
cheaper alternatives. Find out what it is that adds value to your brand and
refine your finances accordingly. You could enjoy a budget that achieves more
by spending less.
While some costs
cannot be cut, you can find ways to make your business finances go further. You
can do this without jeopardising the existing value that your customers place
on your brand too. This adds new points to set your business apart in an ever
competitive market.
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Created on Jan 17th 2020 06:53. Viewed 473 times.