Marketing and Advertising with Chris Newton: Complaints!! Bane or Bonus for Business?

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Complaints!! Bane or Bonus for Business?


Can you imagine a company that loves getting complaints? Even to the extent of giving the customer something minor to complain about, just so they can handle it?

It may sound like a crazy proposition. But some leading companies overseas, and here as well, will go to that extent. And it makes good sense. They know that a customer who is disgruntled, and doesn’t get satisfaction, will often say NOTHING to the company, but will sure tell a lot of other people. This causes damage that could have been avoided.

On the other hand, if the customer complains, and the company is seen to do everything it can to fix the problem fast, then the company is a hero and can promote the fact. (“We’re not perfect, but we’ll do everything we can to keep you happy when something goes wrong!”). What’s more, the customer becomes their greatest advocate. The important thing is to KNOW when a customer is disgruntled to have a policy firmly in place for fixing complaints then to ENCOURAGE customers to come forward.

One bank overseas ran an ad that showed a person looking at the reader with the headline: “My salary is paid by the bank, but I work for you!” … with the theme that the bank was more than a big impersonal monolith… it cared.

Think of a number of cases where you’ve stepped in and fixed a problem, to be profusely thanked by the customer. Are you missing any complaints that could be spreading around the community? Maybe now’s the time to SEEK complaints.

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