Pulse Legacy Archive November 2011 | Page 28

PHOTO © HEAVENLY SPA BY WESTIN NURTURING CUSTOMER LOYALTY Consumer expectations are at an all-time high. Now, more than ever, people are stretching their dollar and expecting more return on their BY SHELBY JONES investment. With this new mentality, impeccable service is not only an expectation but a non-negotiable demand. According to a Customer Experience Impact Report by Harris Interactive, 86 percent of consumers quit doing business with a company because of a bad customer experience, up from 59 percent four years ago.The rules have changed, and you need to make sure your business has changed to accommodate the new consumer model. Nurturing your loyal consumer base is essential to your business success. A statistic from Lee Resource Inc. revealed that 91 percent of unhappy customers will not willingly do business with your organization again. Loyalty sometimes gets overlooked as businesses are constantly offering promotions and discounts to get new customers in the door. It’s imperative to give your loyal client base some attention by thanking them for their business and exceeding their expectations. 26 PULSE ■ November 2011