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relationship and enterprise resource planning systems, these fears should be diminished. Entrepreneurs are curious and even if you start with MS-Excel entries, aim to integrate your information so that you have the right customer data to inform your decision making process. Data is the new currency and if you want to turn your SME to a big enterprise, keep your data clean. Customers will know you care if you can predict their needs efficiently. Imagine knowing when your customer has big dates e.g. birthdays, anniversaries, last purchase date, their correct titles. It takes that level of simplicity to form life-long loyalty from the small things that matter to a human being. Insurance companies will call you a month before your premiums expiry date to remind you to organize yourself which is a very caring gesture. Simplicity is one of the key pillars in customer experience. The way you market your brand to ensure customers are able to access your products and pay for them is very important. It should be simple in design and user experience. This will improve your net promoter score or the prospects of your customers recommending you to new customers instead of detracting them. An example of simplicity is demonstrated by the brand IKEA. They simply evolved their customer experience by enhancing their in-store layout and learnings. They focused on customer education on their products so that customers could make better choices. They used technology to drive the need for the human touch and the do it yourself model is a complete customer experience strategy that builds brand affinity. Customers who get a good experience will recommend a great entrepreneur to other customers. Over 80% of customers are willing to pay more for a good experience so price should not drive you into competition wars. Price is not the key driver if customers are guaranteed quality. Reward loyalty and brand ambassadors as they generate new channels of revenue for you. Don’t forget the employees who stuck with you during the initial stages when you did not have a grand plan or an execution strategy. When customers receive a good experience, they elevate your brand and consequently you get higher revenues. Today, organizations are leveraging on testimonials from customers who had a great user experience with the various brands and products. Overall, keep your brand promise and develop standard operating procedures which should be cascaded to anyone who is selling or working with your brand. Customer experience is the only unique proposition in your business. The rest can be replicated in a few days but your loyal customers will not leave you for the new brand in town if your service is exemplary. Pauline Warui is the Founder of East Africa Customer Care Centre. You can commune with her on this or related matters via email at: PWarui69@ gmail.com. A Leader In The Real Estate Industry WE SPECIALIZE IN: Civil Works Fibre Optic & Networking Telecommuncations Infrastructure Information Technology P.O Box 50511-00100 Nairobi, Kenya North star building, Lenana rd Nairobi | Email: [email protected] Tel: 0721200663