I.Today’s economy is rife with competing markets. Industries hobbled by the recession are picking up steam again, turning our business world into one in which companies need to rise to the top faster than everyone else. One of the best ways you can distinguish yourself from your competition is by sweeping customers off their feet. How can you do this? By understanding what your customers want and how to best communicate with them.
II.Think of customer services the same way you think about any serious, long-term commitment: sometimes you have to sit down and have “the talk” about where your relationship is going.
III.Every customer base is different and must be handled according to their unique needs. As a manufacturer, your customers may include dealers and distributors along with contractors and end-consumers. In channel sales, each member has their own individual or organizational goals. Although specific needs and desires vary from customer to customer, they share many “commitment issues” common in today’s society. Incentive programs act as the “relationship therapy” tool you need to overcome these common customer issues:
IV.1.“I just don’t have time for you right now.”
Most households these days are crunched for time. In 2014, CNN reported that Americans took less vacation time than they have in decades. Time has become a valuable commodity in our culture, causing people to gravitate toward time-saving options like mobile apps, online communication, and automated self-service. People want to take care of their own needs, on their own schedule, whenever they can (Kumar, V., Reinartz, W., 2012).
Lack of time also means that customers—be they dealers, distributors, contractors or end-consumers—aren’t educating themselves on your products. For industries like HVAC and automotive, aftermarket services like upgrade and replacement parts demand continuing product knowledge after the initial sale.
V.The solution to “I just don’t have time for you right now.”
Incentive programs can help consolidate yours and your customers’ time. Companies like Incentive Solutions offer their incentives programs through online software that can be integrated with your company website, so that it fits in seamlessly with your website’s design and wireframes. Programs can be accessed online or through a Mobile App module. This saves time, allowing participants to log into whenever they want. You can use a Channel Sales program to reward distributors, dealers, and contractors for pushing your product, then your participants can enter sales claims instantaneously with a Performance Tracking module.
Participants can also earn rewards by taking quizzes and surveys through a Learn and Earn module, making it worth their time to spend a few moments educating themselves on your products. These features automate the sales claims reward process into an easy, 24/7 medium.
VI.2. “I found someone more interesting through socia