Most doctors never distinguish the difference between customers and patients. That's why they have waiting rooms instead of reception areas.
Walk into most any doctor's office and you'll see numerous chairs -- typically full of people waiting to see the doctor -- and signs that tell you what you can't do or must do (e.g., you must wait 3 days for a referral, you must present co-pay before seeing the doctor).
On top of that, doctors have the best gatekeeper's in the world -- not to keep salespeople away, but to keep the patients (customers) at bay.
What other business could not only survive but thrive by conducting themselves the way many doctor's offices do? Not many if any at all. You certainly couldn't keep my clients waiting outside your business for an hour when they have an appointment -- you'd be out of business!
So what can your small business learn from this?
- If you have a reception area, make sure your clients or customers are made to feel like they are important to your business. This area should match the look and feel of what your company values.
- It's a good thing to have policies and procedures, but don't post it on signs all around your office for the world to see.
- Make sure the first person your customers find when they visit your office is the "Creator of Great First Impressions," not the gatekeeper.
Denise O'Berry helps small business owners take action to grow their business. Find out more at http://www.smallbusinessmatters.com
eco-friendly cleaning service Buffalo Grove ..One of the biggest fears people have about starting a... Read More
Many small companies work very hard to get new accounts.... Read More
Where do you find more customers?How do you compete with... Read More
As a home business proprietor, you may already realize why... Read More
A Brilliant Marketing Idea... sounds great but what is it?... Read More
Great question!Freeing your time is an indisputably key element in... Read More
Here are some useful tips on what to consider before... Read More
American small business is again in transition. Many employees, now... Read More
When does your ego get in the way?Let's go back... Read More
Where would a business be without a business plan? A... Read More
Franchising is the fastest way to build small businesses, provide... Read More
For really tough boat hull cleaning you will need to... Read More
Ok, you have successfully accomplished your dream of being the... Read More
Just a few years ago, when one thought of a... Read More
In this series of articles I'm going to show you... Read More
Why does a good business relationship rely on having some... Read More
One of the hidden perks of raising six children is... Read More
You'd like to go into business for yourself, and believe... Read More
Obtaining a business credit card enables the small business owner... Read More
When pressure washing heavy equipment each piece of equipment has... Read More
In many industries, image is one of the last things... Read More
As a franchisor I am always asked by new and... Read More
How far can you go based on your relationship with... Read More
There's no question that hard work and a little luck... Read More
Why? Because they have access to world class public relations... Read More
express cleaning service Arlington Heights ..Some things in business are relatively easy to measure ?... Read More
If you don't know what a Virtual Assistant (or VA)... Read More
When the recent Games of the XXVIII Olympiad came to... Read More
More sales and more profit. Isn't that what you want... Read More
Grow your Professional Organizer business by branching out into related... Read More
Opening a carpet cleaning business is a great way to... Read More
Many physical therapists in private practice have the appearance of... Read More
This year, some 700,000 American businesses will be sold. Most... Read More
On Monday the Department of Corporations in California revoked franchise... Read More
While I was hard at work last week, an everyday... Read More
The easiest way to lift profits is to cut the... Read More
North County San Diego has had some significant growth, and... Read More
You are probably hard at work promoting your business (and... Read More
The Customer Analysis section of the business plan assesses the... Read More
Traditional advertising methods are still being used for almost 90%... Read More
Until the day I learned to play chess I loved... Read More
I only have to point to the 555 plus failed... Read More
Every business starts with an idea or a dream. To... Read More
As a Boat Detailing Specialist, you may want to offer... Read More
Mobile detailers will find themselves with lots of competition even... Read More
Part of the power plan is making sure you have... Read More
Pet Transportation Services are needed as the number of pets... Read More
How far away is the person you need to meet?We... Read More
How do we keep track of our business deals?If you... Read More
If you are looking for a franchise opportunity, the choice... Read More
Small Business |