I was walking downtown the other day and came upon this sign on the door of a walk-in retail business:
Let me get this straight. This is a retail business in the middle downtown Steamboat Springs which is one of the few retail districts left where people actually still walk around and it has this sign on the door? What a message to send to “potential” customers.
“Hey!!! We’ll solve your bowel problem if you give us money – otherwise go away.”
So being in the business I’m in, I walked inside to see what could be soooo important. There was a guy behind the counter reading the paper. No greeting, no acknowledgement just ignorance. I walked around a bit unimpressed (obviously a bit biased by the warning on the door). While businesses on the mountain are dying and would pay you to use their restrooms, this business owner has made the genius decision to turn potential business away.
How about this for a solution:
Make the experience inside the store so amazing that I become a customer even if I didn’t intend to. MAKE THE EXPERIENCE AMAZING.
Surprise, delight, entertain, satisfy & cater to me. Provide an experience that I’ll talk about to my friends in a positive way.
I found out later this business is owned by a real estate broker. Blew my mind.
Jay has an exceptional creative ability to think outside the box and take a fresh perspective of how to approach the customer or market. His expertise and knowledge in utilizing the newest technologies to improve internal efficiency and drive greater market results is really unparalleled. He truly has a greater understanding of the newest available tools and methods to improve your business than anyone I know. I couldn't recommend anyone more highly.”
Jay is a Marketing Technologist living in Steamboat Springs, CO. His experience includes work with iXL & Agency.com, and he's been a part of 12 start-up businesses.
