Perhaps you have been led to believe that in the world of business, everything should be planned and plotted. Swinging on the high trapeze without a net is not where many of us feel comfortable and we have learned that having a business plan, annual plan, budget, and check lists are all important elements to the well-run business. So, what role does “surprise” play in our business operations and how can we enlist the element of surprise to make our businesses better and our customers and clients happier?
Think back over times when you have been pleasantly surprised—a gift, a drop-in guest from a friend, a special discount or bonus—it feels good, doesn’t it? Now, think of how you could incorporate a little of that into your business operations so you can share that same snippet of joy with your customers and/or clients.
For example, offering a special discount to a really good customer—one that is not advertised and is a special treat—can be both a reward and an incentive for them to remain loyal. Adding a little gift into an order or offering services that are above and beyond the norm can be other ways of giving your customers and clients a pleasant surprise. Even seemingly little things like coming in under budget or before deadline can trigger that element of surprise. So many times we associate surprise with something negative, costly, or frustrating—so pleasant surprises can really make our days and be quite memorable.
Surprise can be a good thing and a way to add to your customer’s positive experiences with your business. What can you do to add a little of the pleasant surprise element into your home business operations? A little thought and creativity and you can create loyal customers for the life of your business.
Also: Five Tips to Handling Unexpected Surprises