LinkedIn Answers: What are SMB owners doing to keep their customers happy during these difficult times?

The volatile economic situation in the USA has been up, front and center in the news these past few weeks throughout the globe. It's of particular significance to small business owners in this part of the globe given the political climate. Just ask Joe, the Plumber.

Today's featured question comes from Bill Dunkelberg, Chief Economist, NFIB, National Federation of Independent Business. Bill asks small business owners what they are doing "to keep customers happy and coming back during these difficult economic times."

The latest NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business) Economic report shows that "decreasing sales" is now the No.1 concern for small businesses. A recent LinkedIn community discussion recommended "focusing on your existing customers" as the top measure for dealing with economic downturn . How would you best work with your customers so they will keep their business with you and ride out this storm together?

The answers featured keywords such as "trust", "communications", "value", "passion" and more. Take a read here. Given below are a couple of answers that exemplify the common themes.

Steve Kownacki, Producer/Director/Owner @ Final Focus Productions, writes:

Service. Service. And oh, service. We have 2 main words in our mission statement "value" and "passion". Exemplify them in everything you do and everyone you communicate with. Treat each client as though they are your only client. You be honest about what you can deliver for a given
budget.

Just got back from lunch with a long-time client - they gave us 2 new jobs! - his comment: "I come to you because I have no worries. I know it's in good hands." This is all I ever need to hear. But never take it for granted.

Ronn Irving, Vice President, the TASCON Group, opines:

Many business owners and their "Trusted Advisors" are going through the process of planning for the coming year. When they review their performance to date and forecast for changes in the coming year, it becomes clear they need to have a plan in place to generate more revenues to offset the skyrocketing costs of doing business.

There are three ways to do that - 1. Control costs, both fixed and variable costs. 2. Increase sales - sell more widgets. 3. Increase sales price.

About the featured LinkedIn user:

Bill Dunkelberg is the Chief Economist at NFIB, and a featured speaker at the Weather the Economy Forum, a series of webinars dedicated to helping small and mid-sized businesses survive and thrive in a tough
economy.