Gone are the days when you could afford to lose a client, big or small. Today, it’s all about locking your clients in as much as you can, simply because the cost of finding a replacement far outweighs the cost of retaining existing business.
Sure, you’ve got their business today, but always remember that every one of your competitors is after their business as well.
Now you can spend hundreds of dollars taking them to lunch, invite them to join you at a big sporting event, or even invite them to your home for dinner.
But guess what? You’re competitors are more than likely doing the same!
In fact, if you attend any business event nowadays, you will no doubt see one of your clients talking to a competitor. Now they may be a client with them as well, but that is business which maybe you could have had … if you had done something different!
Whether your client purchased a house, a new car, capital equipment for their business, awarded you a large contract, or made a significant investment, the amount they spent with you is considerable and so you should acknowledge their purchase in some way.
The very last thing you want to do is to insult them by giving them a mug, calendar or fancy pen. Taking them to lunch, giving them a bottle of bourbon, a bunch of flowers, etc are all much better … but everyone else does those sorts of things.
Be Different…
Everyone loves a holiday … and so it’s a great way to say “thank you”.
It is not hard or expensive as highlighted by programs such as our Value Holidays. With a program like this – and others of a similar nature – you can give your clients:-
- Up to 7 nights stay in a 3-5 star Resort in an “overseas” destination. This has much greater value than a ‘local’ weekend getaway as overseas holidays are what most people dream about.
- A huge saving – many of the Resorts featured in our program normally charge $200+ per night so the holder can save up to $1,000 through what you provide.
- Flexibility – this gift can be enjoyed anytime over the next 12 months, is “transferable” if they cannot use it, and the Voucher can be applied to ANY of the resorts within our holiday program. (There are conditions which apply, but they are not onerous.)
It’s a substantial gift yet it isn’t going to cost you a fortune.
It’s a “thank you” your clients will remember forever, one which will encourage them to come back to you next time they are in the market for a similar product / service plus tell their friends and work colleagues about.
Let your competitors stick to the tired ‘old ways’ of saying “thank you”. You don’t have to!
