In business, perception is everything. For example, Coca-Cola offers a fairly similar product to Pepsi, and vice versa. If one isn’t available, most people are quite happy to take the other, be that at a restaurant or cinema. However, it’s also true that most people consider Coca-Cola to have more prestige. It’s more widely recognized, its Christmas advertisements are highly-produced and fun to watch, and there’s always “clout” in being the original product on the market. All of this, however, is mostly perception, and it all contributes to why people as for a “Coke” from their waiters instead of a Pepsi - akin to how people “Google” something, as opposed to “internet search a query.”
Upgrading the perception of your firm is not necessarily a hollow enterprise then, because it can come as a result of fundamental upgrades you leverage for the best output. If you’re interested in curating the best impressions, converting new customers to loyal clients, or even just turning heads in a competitive field, let’s consider some of the following advice:
Security & Safety
Keeping your business safe and providing a secure building for customers to engage with can make a big difference. But when customers or your audience sees this location is safe and cared for, be that with up-to-date, clear signage, security firms offering an excellent concierge service, and secure accounts they can hold with your firm, they tend to trust you more readily. As far as that goes, you can make sure any public-facing enterprise you run presents a clean, professional image, sustaining those healthy first impressions each time.
Champion A Cause
Companies that care for the betterment of their industry, their audience, or even the world at large tend to feel more substantial than companies who only seem to care for their bottom line. For instance, when people think about Disney, they think of preserving the comforts and entertainment of childhood, inspiring kids with magic and wonder - even though this company is often very litigious and willing to defend its interests as much as possible. Your own firm could benefit from careful causes like that, be that inclusivity in fashion, developing sustainability in your field, or even just adding the human tough to your brand.
Establishing Public Communications Channels
It’s imperative to speak via public communication channels when you can so that all of your clients are on the same page. You might have a Twitter page dedicated to discussing your business, giving updates on website downtime, new promotions,and more. Newsletters, RSS post updates, a business blog, all of this can help you unify and formalize your communications so that your FAQ comes in second place.
Simplifying Your Process
It’s good to simplify how customers engage with your platform. This can often be achieved by eliminating unnecessary steps. So for example, adding account logins to your website, PayPal express functionality, and order carts can limit the time it takes for someone to collect items they want and to pay for them. While customer engagement seems most important, often customer convenience takes precedence.
With this advice, you’ll be sure to upgrade the perception of your firm.
Photo by Jimmy Chan
