Last week I had a break in Tasmania – and what a great holiday destination it is. I love being a tourist, sitting back and enjoying what is going on around me. It is also great time to reflect and observe and I get some of my innovative ideas when I am in this relaxed state of mind.
As I was checking out of a wonderful hotel in Cradle Mountain, Lemonthyme Lodge, the receptionist handed me a bag. I asked her what it was and she said it was a travel pack compliments of the resort. It contained a couple of bottles of water and some apples. She explained that every person visiting Lemonthyme has to drive to get there so they felt it was a nice gesture to make the return journey for their guests a little more enjoyable.
How impressive is this? Something for free and something practical. It may sound like such a simple gesture, and it is, but when was the last time you stayed in a hotel or a motel and they gave you something like this? In fact it is generally the opposite – businesses are giving less away, in fact many are getting down right mean. Sadly it shows.
This is yet again a sensational opportunity for any business, from the largest to the smallest, to really stand out from the crowd by being generous with their customers. Be prepared to give a bit, show your customers that you appreciate them and that you know they have a choice and they have chosen you.
Standing out from the crowd and getting people talking about your business is not about the big things – it is all about the little things. Find ways that you can do more of the little things for your customers and they will tell everyone and they will be loyal for as long as you keep it up. Don’t become mean and stingy out of fear of the global financial crisis, look at it as the best opportunity to be better than your competition, for once and all.
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