A trap many big companies fall into is losing touch with their customers.  Many executives never talk to customers directly, only learning through statistics and demographics.  As a result, they often make decisions to treat their customers like numbers, not human beings.  Customers dread calling into these sorts of companies, like AOL.

Small businesses have the advantage that the owners and decision-makers are often forced to be on the front lines dealing with customers.  This helps in gaining a deep understanding of what customers want.  In fact, I often prefer buying from small businesses because they usually have a more personal touch.  Ironically, as the business prospers, the folks in charge often throw away this connection with customers by hiring poorly-paid customer service people.

It doesn’t have to be like this.  Some big companies, like Nordstrom, are famous for their customer service.  The key is growing your company intelligently.

Make sure all the decision makers in your company spend at least some time keeping in touch directly with customers by doing customer service, taking orders, or making some calls.  This will help them understand how your offerings can be improved.  They’ll get to hear problems and suggestions right from the customers.  Or if customers are confused, they can think about how to tweak the product or information to clarify.  It’s also an incredible motivational boost when they know exactly whom their work will help.

It may be humbling, and you might hear some complaints that they don’t have time for it, but you can’t afford to let the business be run by people who don’t know your customers inside out.

There are a lot of articles on the internet on how to deal with unhappy customers.  Usually, they involve tactics to help deal with that single problem.  Instead, you should look at unhappy customers as opportunities to improve your business.

Bill Gates talked about it.  He said, “Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.” We couldn’t agree more.  But what’s more important than learning is changing.

Big businesses are more sluggish in changing things in response to customer feedback.  This is where small businesses have the advantage.  If you learn how to improve your business to serve your customers better, you don’t need to go through all the different departments and management hierarchy like they do in big businesses.  You just do it.  Probably overnight too.

So, next time you need to handle an unhappy customer, not only should you think “how can I make this customer happy?”, but also “how can I make sure nobody will be unhappy in the same way again?”