Backup software is an important tool for your small business. Why? Because research tells us well over half of the small businesses that lose their data close down after six months.
Importance of Backup Software for Small Businesses
Backup software offers numerous benefits for small businesses, ensuring the continuity and security of their operations. In today’s digital age, where data is a critical asset, the importance of backup solutions cannot be overstated.
Data Protection: Backup software provides a safeguard against data loss due to hardware failures, cyber-attacks, or accidental deletions, ensuring that all critical business information is securely stored and retrievable.
Disaster Recovery: In the event of disasters like fires, floods, or cyberattacks, having backup software enables quick recovery of data, minimizing downtime and business disruption.
Improved Productivity: With data safely backed up, employees can work confidently without the fear of losing their progress, leading to increased efficiency and productivity.
Cost-Effectiveness: Backup software can be more cost-effective compared to the potential losses from data breaches or system failures. It eliminates the need for significant investments in physical storage infrastructures.
Regulatory Compliance: Many industries have regulations requiring data protection and retention. Backup software helps in complying with these legal requirements, avoiding penalties and legal issues.
Easy Access and Management: Modern backup solutions offer easy access and management of data, allowing businesses to quickly retrieve specific files or datasets as needed.
Scalability: Backup software can grow with the business, offering scalable solutions that can accommodate increasing amounts of data as the business expands.
Choosing the Best Backup Software for Small Business Users: Our Methodology
In today’s digital age, having reliable backup software is essential for small business owners and entrepreneurs. The right backup solution can safeguard your critical data against loss due to hardware failure, cyber-attacks, or natural disasters. We have identified several key factors to consider when choosing the best backup software:
Ease of Use and User Interface (High Importance)
Intuitive and user-friendly interface
Simple setup and maintenance procedures
Clear instructions and help resources
Backup and Restore Capabilities (Very High Importance)
Ability to restore to different hardware or locations
Security and Encryption (Very High Importance)
Strong encryption methods for data in transit and at rest
Secure storage options, both locally and in the cloud
Compliance with industry security standards
Automation and Scheduling (High Importance)
Automatic backup scheduling options
Real-time backup capabilities
Customizable backup policies
Support for Multiple Platforms and Devices (Moderate Importance)
Compatibility with various operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Ability to back up servers, desktops, and mobile devices
Support for physical and virtual environments
Cloud Integration and Off-site Storage (High Importance)
Options for cloud storage integration
Flexibility in choosing cloud storage providers
Reliable off-site storage for disaster recovery
Cost and Licensing (Moderate Importance)
Transparent pricing structure
Scalability of licensing based on business size
Value for money in terms of features offered
Customer Support and Documentation (High Importance)
Access to knowledgeable and responsive support
Comprehensive documentation and user guides
Community support or forums for additional assistance
Reputation and Reliability (High Importance)
Positive reviews and testimonials from users
Proven track record in the industry
Regular updates and active development
These criteria are designed to help you find a backup solution that is not only effective and secure but also user-friendly and cost-effective. Ensuring your data is backed up reliably should be a top priority, and the right software can make this process seamless and worry-free.
Best Backup Software List
Here’s a list of some of the best choices for your company.
IDrive
This product allows you to manage dashboards on remote computers. That’s a big bonus if your small business is planning to expand or already has subsidiary locations. All you need is one IDrive account to backup all of your business data. This industry leader even backs up your servers and databases in real time.
The basic account is free but you only get 5G of storage. IDrive Business is $74.52 a year for the first year with unlimited users and 250G. There’s a personal option as well.
Acronis
This software offers business continuity features where some of the others don’t. Different administrators can be assigned different roles and your backups can be stored in several different locations.
A one year subscription starts at $69 with a perpetual license for $89 dollars.
Box
Box Business features unlimited storage and an integration with MS Office 365. This one includes international regulatory standards like ISO 27001, ISO 27018 and HIPAA for those small businesses with international clients.
For anywhere from 3 users up to 10, Box Business is reasonable at about $9 per month to start.
Backblaze
This product offers external drive backups and the ability to restore files via external drive. Just be aware, Backblaze doesn’t offer any options for server backups like some of the more expensive products.
This subscription-based online backup costs $50 yearly for unlimited storage.
CrashPlan
Here’s another straightforward addition to the list to entice a small business owner with free upgrades if he or she is looking to keep costs down. CrashPlan PRO has an account allowing administrators to manage multiple user accounts, change permissions for employees and see real-time report numbers on account activity and storage use.
One of the drawbacks is the lack of server backups, but CrashPlan PRO is compatible with Windows, Linux and Mac. Subscriptions are reasonable at $9.99 a computer per month, but you need to buy three licenses.
ADrive
This company has just added a new mobile app so you can get files from any Android or Apple iOS device. This is great for sales teams and travelling small business owners. Your ADrive account even allows you to edit and save documents with Zoho technology.
Large files are no problem with a 16GB transfer ability.
ADrive offers a free trial with a business account and a monthly price starting at $7 dollars.
Arcserve
Arcserve’s Cloud promises features like managing restores, tracking cloud usage and scheduling backups from one console. This software offers Office 365 backup. It also has a tool to reduce data duplication so you don’t wind up being buried with repetition.
Xero has unveiled its 2023 State of the Industry Report, shedding light on the transformative impact of cloud-based technology in the accounting and bookkeeping sector. The report offers a comprehensive overview of business performance, industry trends, and technological adoption within the field.
Key Findings: Revenue and Profit Increases
A striking 75% of the practices surveyed reported an increase in revenue, and nearly as many (73%) noted a rise in profits over the past year. Significant drivers for this growth include an increase in client numbers, the introduction of new services, and the adoption of cloud software.
The Impact of Cloud-Based Software
The report underscores the pivotal role of cloud-based software in reshaping the accounting and bookkeeping landscape. Practices utilizing cloud technology not only saw higher profit margins (75% for cloud users vs. 54% for non-cloud users) but also experienced benefits like improved client service and enhanced workforce morale. Cloud adoption correlates with higher staff retention and more effective talent recruitment.
The Surge in Client Advisory Services (CAS)
Xero’s report also highlights the growing emphasis on Client Advisory Services (CAS), encompassing forecasting, budgeting, and financial strategy. About 41% of surveyed practices now offer CAS, with many having introduced these services within the last year. Firms providing CAS witnessed a more substantial client increase compared to those not offering these services.
Value-Based Pricing: A New Trend
Emerging trends in value-based pricing models were another focus of the report. Over 60% of surveyed practices have adopted value-based pricing for at least a quarter of their clients. These models, preferred for their simplicity and transparency, have been instrumental in boosting revenue and profitability.
Industry Optimism and Future Growth
Gustavo Suarez, founder of JPG, an online accounting and payroll service, and a respondent in the survey, emphasized the significant growth potential offered by CAS. Ben Richmond, US Country Manager at Xero, expressed optimism that the report would guide firms in identifying growth opportunities and enhancing client services.
Xero’s State of the Industry Report for 2023 paints a promising picture of the accounting and bookkeeping sector, driven by technological advancements and innovative service offerings. This comprehensive analysis serves as a testament to the industry’s adaptability and growth potential in the digital age.
Employee engagement and customer experience (CX) are critical for business success in today’s market. As customer loyalty shifts away from price and product to service quality and brand experience, businesses must evolve.
Understanding and improving CX is more crucial than ever, as customers favor brands that meet their growing expectations without sacrificing service quality.
Quite interestingly, research has found that businesses earning $1 billion every year can expect to earn an additional $700 million, on average, within three years of investing in CX.
No wonder improving the end-to-end buying journey for customers is imperative to deliver a positive experience and drive higher revenues — regardless of how many times they have availed your products or services. Let us explain this in detail.
Enhancing CX helps improve retention and earn their loyalty by engaging them throughout their journey with your brand. The cost of acquiring a new customer is reportedly higher than retaining existing ones. Therefore it directly impacts your bottom line.
Strategies for Improving Employee Engagement
Understanding the benefits of enhancing Customer Experience (CX) is crucial for businesses. Here’s a quick overview:
Improves customer retention and loyalty
Directly impacts the bottom line by reducing customer acquisition costs
Leads to increased revenue through repeat business
Enhances brand reputation and customer satisfaction
CX leaders must emphasize developing a customer-centric approach across your company. When building a customer-first business, you must embrace digital transformation and empower your employees with omnichannel tools to help achieve success.
Engaging employees accelerate the growth of your brand. But most of the time, brands are unable to do enough to keep them interested.
A Gallup report states that the average employee engagement worldwide is merely 22%, a significant cause of the surge in employee turnover. Therefore, you must make strategic changes in your operations to improve business outcomes.
You cannot plan to deliver excellent customer service if your attrition rate is high. You must take specific steps that make them a loyal part of your business. The following section explains that in detail.
The “people-first” growth strategy
Your employees are the first point of humanized contact customers have with your brand. Therefore, you must take care of them to transform the relationship with your customers.
Particularly in the last 18 months, businesses have deployed varied change management models to cope with the changes happening in their sector while also ensuring employees continued to deliver as they retreated into isolation and meet the new customer demands with care, concern, and empathy.
In today’s conscious consumer culture, buying decisions are impacted by how well brands treat their employees. Every business leader must realize the need to treat employees as they want their customers to be treated.
Meeting employee needs on time ensures they offer a delightful experience for your customers in return. Putting employees first is not only the right thing to do; it is simply good business.
The service-profit chain concept by the Harvard Business Review links employee satisfaction and customer loyalty to product profitability for businesses at both ends of this chain.
image: hbr.orgIt demonstrates how employee satisfaction leads to customer loyalty for the profitability of a brand and its financial success. Simple as it may sound, the process needs to align the processes to strategically achieve customer and employee success.
At the end of the day, employee satisfaction results mainly from high-quality support policies and services enabling employees to deliver rightfully to the customers. The alignment must be done by providing clear guidelines and best support to employees.
Strategies for Improving Employee Engagement
Employee engagement is pivotal for customer satisfaction. Here are effective strategies to boost engagement:
Offer enriching and streamlined employee experiences
Address and fix operational inefficiencies
Cultivate a culture of empathy and respect
Align employee goals with customer needs for mutual success
Six tips to improve employee success to achieve customer success
A strong company will already have great customer relationships. But that cannot be achieved until their employees are also equally satisfied and happy.
If you are not constantly looking for opportunities to improve your relationship with employees, they will think you do not care about them and hence, leave your company. Here is how you can ensure employee success effectively:
Offer a simple but richer experience
Fix processes wherever possible
Treat your employees with respect and empathy
Tailor success to customer needs
Foster long-term relationships with your staff
Promote and encourage having work-life balance
1. Offer a simple but richer experience
Creating a streamlined and enriched experience for employees is key to achieving customer success. Employees, much like customers, expect a consistent and cohesive journey within the company. This includes smooth transitions of roles and information across different departments.
By simplifying internal processes, not only is the workload on employees reduced, but customer interactions also become more efficient, leading to quicker resolution of issues. Efficient handoffs between departments minimize service gaps, accelerating the delivery process and reducing customer frustration.
Studies have shown that simpler processes can make employees 12% more productive and happier. This increase in employee satisfaction and efficiency can significantly enhance your brand’s competitiveness, with some companies outperforming their rivals by 20%.
2. Fix processes wherever possible
Operational inefficiencies can lead to repetitive complaints from customers, which in turn can demoralize and frustrate your staff. This negative impact on employee morale can be detrimental to both their productivity and the company’s long-term success.
To combat this, it is vital to address and rectify common issues within your systems. By doing so, you not only reduce resource wastage and control inefficiency but also instill a sense of pride in your workforce regarding their company and its services.
A focus on excellence in employee experience can significantly influence the overall customer experience. Companies ranking in the top 25% for positive employee experiences have reported a triple return on assets and double return on sales.
3. Treat your employees with respect and empathy
Fostering a culture of empathy and respect throughout the organization is crucial. If employees feel unengaged or undervalued, it’s unlikely they will have a positive experience with your organization.
A significant 92% of employees believe empathy is undervalued in companies, yet 95% are more likely to stay with an empathetic employer.
Moreover, customers often prefer to engage with brands that align with their personal values and beliefs, with 63% stating a preference for brands driven by such principles.
Creating an empathetic workplace not only improves employee retention but also aligns with customer expectations, thereby enhancing both employee and customer satisfaction.
image: ccl.org
4. Tailor success to customer needs
To ensure sustainable success, it’s vital for a company to align its employees’ efforts with customer goals. This alignment may not always be immediately obvious, but business leaders must work to redefine objectives to prioritize customer satisfaction.
It’s essential to go beyond merely sustaining operations; brands must actively ensure that customers are content with their products or services. By adapting to the customer’s perception of value, companies can simplify processes and clearly define the parameters of success for their employees.
This approach not only enhances the customer experience but also instills a sense of pride and accomplishment in employees, knowing they are directly catering to and fulfilling client needs.
5. Foster long-term relationships with your staff
Retaining employees is a challenge for many businesses. The modern workplace has transformed, and employee expectations are also evolving as customer expectations continue to grow. You need to do more than just pay them for their work.
Keeping them interested and invested in your brand is imperative. Rewards, recognition, appreciation, and empathy help foster healthier relationships.
Designing training strategies to encourage employees to embrace their strengths and weaknesses helps them build their lifetime value.
6. Promote and encourage having work-life balance
A work-life balance can be the difference between a thriving workforce and one that is burnt out. As the boundaries of the workplace and home blur, separating personal life from professional responsibilities provides employees with untethered freedom.
A study by Stanford University supports the need for work-life balance by revealing that productivity declines sharply when people work for more than 50 hours a week.
It reiterates how important it is to take time off as it helps combat stress levels, thereby improving productivity instantly. Moreover, since the pandemic began and working from home became a norm, working hours have definitely increased.
image: ibm.comIn today’s era of remote working, you have to ensure your employees get ample opportunity for self-care even though they are at home.
Find small ways to promote healthier habits at your company. Implementing policies such as flexible hours ensures people do not feel their job permeates aspects of their life outside work. Allow them to dedicate time and explore other hobbies besides just career advancement.
Five steps to putting employees in the driver’s seat
A highly engaged workforce will impact the bottom line of your company positively. You can consider the following steps to help your employees improve their productivity and drive higher satisfaction in their roles.
Gather employee feedback
Minimize technological barriers
Focus on their career advancement
Reward and recognize their efforts
Check-in with your employees periodically
1. Gather employee feedback
Collecting feedback from employees is a crucial step in empowering them. While it might seem counterintuitive, employee insights are often highly relevant and valuable. They possess an intimate understanding of their roles and the challenges they face, making their input critical for organizational improvements.
Encouraging feedback not only identifies areas for process improvement but also helps uncover necessary tools and resources for employees to succeed.
Moreover, this practice cultivates a culture of inclusivity and collaboration, where employees feel valued and integral to the company’s transformation.
2. Minimize technological barriers
Ensuring that your employees have the necessary tools and technology is fundamental to their success and, by extension, the success of your brand. A productive infrastructure encompasses both advanced software solutions and organizational resources to enable effective work completion.
In the context of remote working, this means enhanced technological setups and streamlined security protocols to facilitate seamless collaboration across distributed teams.
Investing in sophisticated yet user-friendly technological infrastructure is crucial. It not only bolsters productivity but also simplifies processes, ensuring employees are well-equipped and confident in their ability to achieve success.
3. Focus on their career advancement
Creating a nurturing and productive work environment is key to reducing turnover and boosting productivity. By focusing on career advancement, you communicate your company’s commitment to your employees’ growth and success.
Training and development opportunities not only benefit the company by creating a more skilled workforce but also keep morale high among team members. This atmosphere of continuous learning and advancement fosters motivation at all levels and shows employees that their growth is valued.
When employees see clear paths for advancement and feel supported in their career goals, they are more likely to be engaged and committed to the company’s success.
4. Reward and recognize their efforts
Rewards and recognition must be utilized effectively to increase employee engagement. Businesses must lay down their expectations clearly to help employees understand how they can fit into them.
For instance, Disney strives to offer a magical customer experience, and employees are rewarded for delivering the most engaging experience. The slightest of recognition helps motivate individuals and teams to perform their best.
Deploy an employee engagement solution such as Xoxoday Empuls, where you can delight high-performing employees with an extensive choice of rewards and make their efforts visible in front of the entire company.
Research shows that 63% of those always or usually recognized at work are “very unlikely” to hunt for a new job in the next three to six months. Therefore, instilling a sense of purpose in your workforce with regular employee recognition.
Conducting regular check-ins with employees is essential for understanding their work and addressing any professional or personal challenges they may face. These check-ins, both formal and informal, should be scheduled periodically, with managers encouraged to interact with their team members to better comprehend their needs.
This approach helps in developing action plans that align both organizational objectives and individual goals. The frequency of these meetings can vary based on business needs, but they should always focus on employee development and upskilling.
Additionally, providing frequent feedback allows for continuous performance improvement, eliminating the need to wait for annual reviews. This practice not only keeps managers attuned to employee behaviors but also gives employees continuous motivation to perform well.
Employee Engagement Strategies and Their Impact on Customer Experience
Understanding the link between employee engagement and customer experience is crucial for any business aiming to enhance its service quality and customer satisfaction. The following table provides a clear comparison of various employee engagement strategies and how they positively impact both the workforce and the customer experience.
This overview will help you identify key areas of focus to foster a more productive and satisfying work environment, ultimately leading to happier customers and improved business outcomes.
Strategy
Impact on Employees
Impact on Customer Experience
Empathetic Leadership
Increased morale and job satisfaction
Enhanced customer service quality
Professional Development
Skill enhancement and career growth
Up-to-date service offerings
Open Communication
Sense of belonging and validation
More responsive and personalized service
Work-Life Balance
Reduced burnout, increased productivity
Consistent and reliable customer interactions
Recognition and Rewards
Heightened motivation and commitment
Improved service delivery and innovation
Over to you
The approach of aligning employee success with customer success can lead to unparalleled levels of customer satisfaction. It is essential to identify your customers’ pain points, but you must also commit to understanding the needs of your workforce.
Your employees are putting plenty at stake each day, and you must reward their efforts by supporting them wholeheartedly. Shift their description of success from monetary to a drive for excellence. Remember, building employee loyalty is a challenging task.
It takes commitment from your business to promote their self-care, job fulfillment, upskilling, and ongoing development. Showing consistency in your efforts is critical in maintaining the most valuable asset for your company.
When your employees bring their A-game to the table, it is easy to function like well-oiled machinery and deliver customers the best possible service.
Without the support of your employees, this would not be possible. Therefore, prioritize your employees. Customer success is inevitable.
Search for “Unboxing” on YouTube and you will get around 90 million results. Unboxing is a thing, and this, in turn, has made packaging your second product. So, consumers now see a memorable unboxing experience as valuable.
Are you looking to provide a great unboxing experience for your products? A new infographic by 2Flow titled, ‘How to Create a Memorable Unboxing Experience’ looks to answer how you can do that.
For small businesses with online commerce, this is a great way to really differentiate your brand from the drab brown boxes of some giant online retailers. This is because the box you send to your customers is the first touchpoint. And if you do it properly, it can be a strong selling point for repeat customers. To that point, don’t forget to be creative with your packaging.
What is an Unboxing Experience?
On social media, unboxing is the act of capturing the process of opening a new product. This activity has garnered immense popularity, with tens of millions of viewers flocking to YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. These platforms are not just entertainment venues but also hubs for product information.
When influencers encounter exceptional packaging during their unboxing videos, they often highlight it, playing a significant role in popularizing this trend. Beyond social media, the infographic emphasizes the role of branded packaging in enhancing customer and business value.
It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about crafting a memorable, shareable experience. For online retailers, the unboxing moment is crucial – it’s the first physical touchpoint with customers, and making it unforgettable can significantly impact customer perception and loyalty.
Ecommerce and Unboxing
In the world of eCommerce, consumer expectations are at an all-time high. The widespread visibility of unboxing videos has led to an increased appreciation for quality packaging among consumers.
However, this doesn’t diminish the relevance of the standard brown box, a hallmark of giants like Amazon. These boxes represent a baseline expectation in consumer experience.
For brands aiming to stand out, the unboxing experience is a critical differentiator. Its impact extends beyond the initial opening, yielding a lasting return on investment.
These packages often become a part of the customer’s environment, subtly continuing to promote the brand. For instance, aesthetically pleasing or unique packaging might be repurposed or displayed, serving as a constant visual endorsement of the brand.
Quality Brand Packaging
The quality of a product’s packaging can speak volumes about the brand behind it. It’s the first thing a customer interacts with, setting the stage for their perception of the enclosed product. Ideally, the product inside should meet or exceed the expectations set by its packaging.
Moreover, high-quality packaging functions as a potent marketing tool. It adds unexpected value for customers, enhancing their overall experience. According to the referenced infographic, 52% of consumers are more likely to repeat purchase from an online retailer that offers premium packaging.
This positive experience often translates into word-of-mouth referrals, especially through social media. Considering that 4 in 10 consumers share images of their deliveries online, the impact on brand visibility and recognition can be substantial.
To create a remarkable experience, it begins with branded boxes and unique packaging materials, complemented by a thoughtful presentation of the product.
Additionally, including free samples of other products, or if not feasible, a discount on a future purchase or a complementary item can further elevate the experience. A personal note to the customer adds a touch of warmth and personalization, enhancing the overall unboxing experience.
Key Elements for a Memorable Unboxing Experience
To create an unforgettable unboxing experience for your customers, consider incorporating these key elements:
Branded Boxes: Use customized packaging that reflects your brand identity.
Unique Packaging Material: Choose materials that stand out and protect the product.
Thoughtful Product Presentation: Arrange the items in an appealing and organized manner.
Free Samples or Discounts: Include samples of other products or coupons for future purchases.
Personalized Touches: Add customized notes or messages to enhance the personal connection.
All of this will combine to create a story your customers will remember. And creating a story or telling your story through your packaging is a sure-fire way to make it more memorable.
Understanding the differences between standard and branded packaging can help online retailers enhance their customer’s unboxing experience. Here’s a quick comparison:
Aspect
Standard Packaging
Branded Packaging
First Impression
Functional
Memorable
Brand Identity
Minimal
Strong
Customer Engagement
Low
High
Repeat Purchases
Less Likely
More Likely
Marketing Potential
Limited
Extensive
Personalization
Rare
Common
Cost
Lower
Higher
Creating a Story
What exactly are you doing by providing an experience your customer will remember when the unbox their deliver? You are creating a story. The quote from Jonathan Ive, Chief Desing Officer of Apple, in the infographic says it all.
Ive goes on to say, “Steve (Jobs) and I spend a lot of time on the packaging… I love the process of unpacking something. You design a ritual of unpacking to make the product feels special. Packaging can be theater; it can create a story.”
Embracing ways to show clients your appreciation is essential in recognizing them as more than just business accounts. They are individuals with real thoughts and emotions. This year, commit to demonstrating a deeper appreciation for your loyal clients, enhancing both your connections and their experiences with your brand.
The Significance of Customer Appreciation
In the world of business, where a great deal of effort is devoted to product development and other critical tasks, the role of customer appreciation cannot be overstated. This aspect, often overshadowed by other business activities, is crucial for sustaining and growing a customer base.
Data from the U.S. Small Business Administration reveals a startling reality: 68 percent of clients part ways with a business due to a perceived lack of care.
This figure dramatically overshadows the 14 percent who leave due to dissatisfaction with the product. These statistics underscore the paramount importance of customer appreciation in maintaining the health and vitality of a business.
It’s a clear indicator that customers place high value on emotional connections and feeling valued, often more so than on the products or services themselves. The benefits of high customer appreciation include:
Higher retention rates. As the previous data point shows, customers who feel appreciated are much more likely to become repeat customers. They have a positive association with your brand and will come to you with their future needs.
Increase profits. It’s not just that these customers come back and do business with you again — they also spend more. Research shows loyal customers purchase products and services 90 percent more frequently, while spending 60 percent more with each transaction.
Positive word of mouth. As you know from experience, customer acquisition can be expensive. There are multiple stages involved in moving people from awareness to purchase and the dollars quickly add up. But do you know what doesn’t cost a thing? Positive word of mouth. When your customers are satisfied with the value you offer and feel appreciated, they’re apt to tell their friends and generate organic referrals and leads for you.
Benefit of the doubt. Finally, customers who feel appreciated are much more likely to give you the benefit of the doubt in situations where you fail to meet expectations. Whether it’s a late delivery, order screw-up or an interaction that’s uncharacteristic of your company, they’ll give you a second chance (as opposed to immediately going to your closest competitor).
The desire for appreciation is in our DNA. “As human beings, we long for connection. During that precious moment when someone sees us, praises us, or validates us, there’s a spontaneous connection that can arise — if we’re open to it,” psychologist John Amodeo explains. “Feeling appreciated strengthens the bond between people. It helps satisfy our longing for healthy attachment.”
While customers certainly seek and find more meaningful benefits in the relationships they have with family, friends and romantic interests, the appreciation that your business exudes goes a long way towards establishing a profitable and sustainable business connection.
4 Ways to Show Clients Your Appreciation
Every customer is different. Some people find meaning in tangible expressions of appreciation, while others simply want to hear you say a kind word.
There are plenty of subtle things you can do — and we’ll discuss those in further detail in the following points — but sometimes the best strategy is to do it big. In B2B companies, or small businesses that have a very specific and localized customer base, hosting a customer appreciation event is an awesome way to leave a lasting impression.
The key is to look at customer appreciation events in the same way that you would a dinner party you’re hosting in your own home. Guests are to be viewed as special friends, not customers you’re trying to close.
When asked about her New Year’s resolutions to be a better party host in 2023, For Your Party’s Rachel Anderson says, “Be better at following up with guests after the party and thank them for coming.” Anderson’s coworker Emily believes you should, “Put effort into the details, such as handwritten place cards or thank you notes to make guests feel special.”
Execution is the most important aspect of hosting a customer appreciation event — and success is found in the details. Be intentional about every little aspect and leave nothing to chance.
2. Personalize Your Services
Personalization of products and services is another way you can show your customers that you appreciate them. Not only do personalized features play to a customer’s likes, interests and needs — but the mere fact that you went through extra effort says a lot about your brand.
Personalization can happen in a number of ways. It could be something as simple as creating a custom color scheme that coincides with a client’s logo, or something as complex as tweaking software code to integrate a custom feature that doesn’t exist in the standard product offering.
3. Send Hand-Written Notes
“In today’s world, instant communication through emails, social media and text messages is commonplace, while receiving a handwritten card or letter in the mail is rare,” one customer engagement expert believes. “Even though technology has changed the way we communicate, receiving a handwritten, personalized note still touches our emotions in a way instant communication tools can only dream about.”
This year, make it a habit within your organization to send handwritten notes to customers. While a long, detailed note is sometimes useful, you don’t have to spend a ton of time on them. A simple note like this works well:
“Hey, Dave! I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your business. It’s been an absolute pleasure to work alongside you this year and I hope we’ll continue to do so for years to come. Let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you.”
The process of writing this note, sticking it in an envelope, and dropping it off in the mailbox takes less than five minutes, but imagine how much more appreciation your customers would feel this year if you wrote one handwritten note per day.
4. Launch a Loyalty Program
While loyalty programs ultimately end up benefiting your business more than anything else, they also have the added advantage of making customers feel appreciated. As you look for unique ways to engage your top customers this year, consider launching some sort of loyalty program that rewards them for their repeat business.
What you don’t want to do is blindly launch a loyalty program. You’ll waste a ton of resources and do very little to move the needle on customer appreciation. Take your time and study what successful brands like Starbucks and Amazon do and you’ll learn a lot.
Ways to Show Clients Your Appreciation Strategies Checklist
Enhancing customer trust and loyalty is pivotal for business growth. Use this checklist to ensure your customer appreciation strategies are comprehensive and effective:
Strategy
Key Actions
Host Appreciation Events
Personalize, focus on details.
Personalize Services
Tailor offerings to customer needs.
Send Hand-Written Notes
Express gratitude personally.
Launch a Loyalty Program
Reward repeat business.
Engage in Regular Communication
Seek feedback, maintain dialogue.
Recognize Customer Milestones
Celebrate key moments with personalized acknowledgments.
Offer Exclusive Promotions
Provide special deals for loyal customers.
Prioritize Exceptional Service
Ensure positive customer interactions.
Make Next Year the Year of the Customer
Reflecting on the history of your business, there are likely years that stand out as being more about the business’s needs than those of your customers. Conversely, there are probably times when customer needs were prioritized, leading to greater success and profitability.
This pattern underscores an important lesson: years focused on customers tend to be more fruitful. As you gear up for the upcoming year, commit to making it the ‘Year of the Customer’.
This involves more than just a change in mindset; it requires a tangible strategy for customer appreciation. Develop a plan that enables your team to engage with customers in a deeply personal way. This strategy should go beyond standard customer service practices, aiming to create meaningful, lasting connections.
t’s about recognizing and valuing the individual behind each transaction, transforming customers into loyal advocates for your brand. Such a strategy might involve personalized communications, tailored experiences, or special rewards that demonstrate genuine appreciation and understanding of your customers.
