As a business developer, your primary goal is to create sustainable growth for your company. Attracting new customers and retaining existing ones is the primary method of achieving this. Understanding the needs and preferences of your target market is critical. Of course, the best way to gather this information to meet your customer in person.
Meeting with your customers provides valuable insights into their issues, expectations and the way they operate. Interacting with them face-to-face, gives a deeper understanding of their needs and preferences, as well as the reasons why they choose to do business with you. This information can be used to develop more effective marketing strategies, refine service delivery and improve customer engagement. It also helps you build rapport with your customers, showing them that they are important to you.
Personal connection
Establishing a personal connection with your customers is essential. When customers feel that they are understood and valued, they are more likely to be loyal and supportive of your business. This can lead to increased customer satisfaction and higher levels of customer retention. Meaning that your recurring revenue is more secure. Additionally, meeting with your customers allows you to build trust and establish a positive reputation, which is a key factor in attracting new customers.
Imagine preparing to purchase a service for your business. You have two possible suppliers:
- Supplier has sent an email detailing their service and pricing
- Supplier has met you, understood your issues and tailored an appropriate response that solves your problem
The supplier who has taken the time to meet and understand your issue is obviously the front runner here.
Gaining feedback
Meeting with your customers also gives you the opportunity to get feedback (both good and bad) on your services. By listening to this feedback, you can identify areas for improvement and if required, adapt your business. This leads to increased customer satisfaction and a stronger, more resilient business that evolves with the market.
Feedback also let’s you know where your company is performing well. Sharing this with the wider team is good for morale. It also let’s you know which parts of your business your customers value most. There might also be opportunity to double down on these areas of strength.
Relationships and trust
Finally, committing to meet your customers is an excellent way to build relationships with the people who matter most to your business. When you take the time to understand their needs and priorities, you can develop meaningful connections that will benefit you both. This fosters trust, establishing a loyal customer base.
The importance of trust cannot be underestimated. If a customer trusts you to solve their problems they will seek you out. Securing a place as trusted advisor for your customers is an enviable position to be in. Really this should be one of your business development goals.
Final thoughts
For a business developer, meeting with your customers is a critical step in building and growing your business. By understanding their needs and preferences, you can improve customer engagement, establish a personal connection, get meaningful feedback and establish professional trust. By making a concerted effort to meet with your customers, you can build strong, long-lasting relationships that will help you achieve sustainable long-term growth.
Starting with your existing customers is a simple way to start. They already know you and are more likely to meet. Use this as a way to take the first step before committing to meeting new people.
For more advice on customer meetings check out my blog post on how to host effective customer meetings.
So what are you waiting for? Contact your customers, get out and get meeting!
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Meet your customers.
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For a definition of business development you can check out my take in this post here.
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