If you're picturing Dana Carvey's Church Lady right now, we hope we've brought a smile to your face. If you're too young to remember that character, just trust us, it was funny. Whether you get the reference or not, we hope you get the point here. Everyone likes to feel special. Your suppliers, your employees, and your customers all have one thing in common. They like to feel as though they matter, as though they are in some way special to you and your business. Keep reading for some great tips to make them feel important and for ways that Stockpile small business inventory system can help.
Name Recognition
This one is a no-brainer. People appreciate being recognized and called by their name. It says that they are important enough that you remember them. Greeting suppliers, employees and customers by name instantly conveys a sense of camaraderie. You know them. It is also a sign of respect. How often do you hear someone refer to another person as "what's his name" (even though they know good and well the person's name) as way to imply that they don't particularly like that person? Forgetting someone's name is a common indication that they are of little concern or importance to you.
Compassion
No one likes to feel as though they are being taken for granted. We're not saying you have to remember everyone's birthday or buy them flowers, just let them know that you see them as people, not just a means to an end. Making a little polite conversation, asking about their family, granting time off requests, and soliciting customer feedback are all easy, inexpensive ways to show that you care about the people who support your business.
Honesty and Commitment
These two go hand in hand. Say what you mean and then follow through. Again, these are cornerstones of good business. Making promises you can't keep and failing to stand behind those promises is a quick way to find yourself out of business or worse, in court. We know that many marketing practices encourage embellishing your claims to make a sale, but remember if you can't deliver what you said you would or the product fails to live up to expectations you are going to have some very disappointed and angry customers to deal with. The same is true for your suppliers and employees. Pay your bills on time, compensate your employees fairly and follow through with any commitments you make to them.
Be Dependable
This may sound like the previous tip, but there are some key differences. Yes, dependability comes from doing what you say you'll do, but there's more to it than that. If you have a reputation for being dependable people will call on you when they need things you haven't already committed to doing. Being dependable means establishing a reputation in your community for being responsible, willing to lend a hand and someone that others can rely on. The benefits from this perception can be numerous. It can result in people asking you for favors but it can also mean that should you ever need anything you'll have a slew of people lining up to help. If your supplier is running low on a product and can only fulfill a portion of their current orders, you're more likely to be the one who gets the goods if they know they can count on to pay your invoice quickly. When your employees know that they can count on you, they will be more likely to repay the favor and respond in kind. They will try to live up to the example you've set and to be the caliber of employee that you deserve. When customers find a business they trust, they will keep coming back. What's more, they'll tell their friends and family about you providing marketing that you just can't buy.
Use Stockpile
So, how can inventory management software help you make your suppliers, employees and customers feel special? That's easy. With Stockpile small business inventory system you'll always know what inventory you have and what you need. You'll be able to place reorders in a timely manner or give your supplier a concrete reason why you don't need to reorder at this time. Avoiding vague answers and rush orders is a great way to show respect for your supplier and their business. Your employees will appreciate you implementing a solution that makes their jobs easier. Thanks to Stockpile they'll be able to quickly and easily access item records. They'll always know where to locate merchandise and supplies. Plus, Stockpile small business inventory system is easy to use. They'll appreciate the lack of complicated training or the need for a thick reference manual to help them handle inventory management. Lastly, your customers will love the fact that with Stockpile you'll be less likely to run out of items or end up with a cluttered store because you're overstocked. When they are looking for something specific, you'll be able to locate it quickly getting them out the door and on their way fast.
Stockpile Is the Solution You Need for Your Special Inventory Needs
Everyone wants to feel special. Following the tips above and using Stockpile small business inventory system for all your inventory management needs will help you achieve this goal. When your suppliers, employees and customers are all happy you're going to end up feeling pretty special yourself. Try Stockpile today and you'll see what we mean!
