Account executives: An untapped resource to grow your business

10 things your customers won't tell you (but we will!)Nancy Friedmanadvice, customer relationships Most business owners know that customers will take their business elsewhere if they're not treated as they'd like to be. But how does a business owner find out what the customer really likes or dislikes? Your customers have told us what they are unlikely to tell you directly. Here are 10 things only a friend will tell you and that friend is us! Dear Telephone Doctor: I'm not a person to be confrontational and cause a scene. However, there are several things that bother me when I call or walk into an establishment. If you pass this on to management, it couldn't hurt and it would probably help. Thank you. Dear Owner/Manager: 1. Nobody greeted me when I walked into your store. No one said "Hello," no one asked if they could help me and no one said goodbye when I walked out. Well, at least I wasn't any trouble. 2. Your sales staff looked tired. Yeah, they did. Otherwise, why wouldn't they greet me with a big smile and some enthusiasm? It didn't look like they even wanted me in the place. 3. I purchased a lot from your company. I couldn't believe no one said "Thank you." No one told me to enjoy my purchase. I did get a lukewarm, "Have a nice day," but it was said so perfunctorily, it didnt mean anything to me. 4. When I phoned for some information, my call was treated as an annoyance. I did not sense that your employees wanted to be of any real help. Know what I did then? I called a few more places until I found a place a company whose employees sounded like they wanted me to come visit them right now. 5. Whoever answered your phone never identified themselves. I like to know whom I'm talking with and when I don't, it hurts any trust I might give your company. 6. During the phone call, your employee's voice sounded aggressive and challenging. It didn't feel very welcoming. 7. By the way, all of your employees were talking and laughing amongst themselves and ignored me until I was ready to pay for my merchandise. 8. There was no management around. Remember the old saying, "When the boss is away, the mice will play"? Guess what? They do! 9. When I told your staff about my problem, which was important to me, no one sympathized with me. It was "business as usual" for them. 10. Everyone looked angry. No one was smiling. Remember, sometimes it's the things you don't do that make me want to go elsewhere. Thanks for listening. Signed, Your customer We all know that these are basic, common sense topics, but we also know that basic common sense isn't very common. Nancy Friedman is president of Telephone Doctor Customer Service Training in St. Louis. For more information, call (314) 291-1012 or visit www.telephonedoctor.com.