Like this article? PLEASE +1 it! Evan Signature
Evan Carmichael Top Header
Share for a Cause









Increase Sales by Surveying Your Customers Current and Future Needs

Guest post by: Leanne Hoagland-Smith

Article Overview: Do you know what your customers’ current and future needs really are? Possibly, you are just meeting their existing needs, but have not taken the time to survey future needs. By not truly knowing your customer needs, how much business are you leaving on the table?

Free Download - How to Craft an Engaging Message That Highlights What You Do to Increase Sales By Leanne Hoagland-Smith
Name: Email:

Increase Sales by Surveying Your Customers Current and Future Needs

Do you know what your customers' current and future needs really are? Possibly, you are just meeting their existing needs, but have not taken the time to survey future needs. By not truly knowing your customer needs, how much business are you leaving on the table?

Successful businesses understand not only their customers' current needs, but work with them to identify future needs. With information doubling every year, the needs can change within a very short time span. Your business, if you want to increase sales, must be able to make those course corrections very quickly.

Years ago, there was an adage of going with the flow. Today, those wise words I believe have been replaced with "know where the flow will go." Sales professionals must anticipate the future market place and that begins with current loyal customers.

How to do make such anticipation can begin with a survey. With technology and the Internet, surveys can be quickly constructed and administrated. Additionally, organizational assessments can be deployed to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

External customers (clients) and internal customers (employees) are the sources for innovation and growth for any business. When you have taken the time to know what they know, you can begin to craft a much more solid plan to increase sales.

Of course, this may mean that you have more meaningful meetings with your customers. Now the focus is on them and not on what you sell because you may not have a solution to meet their future needs.

Additionally, you will need to demonstrate value by taking some action. Very few people like to have their insight gathered and no action taken. Sales Coaching Tip: Remember, the goal is to understand their needs and take action. You must be truly authentic and not use the survey as a false tool to build the relationship.

When you take action to survey the customers' needs, you will have a better sense of how your products or services can help your customers move their businesses to that next level. In the process, you may be able to even increase your prices because of the additional value that you are bringing to your customers. And, wouldn't that be great!

Related Articles
  Increased Sales Effectiveness: Opportunity #1
  Top 7 Ways to Increase Sales Regardless of the Economy
  Sales Success Tip-Think You Need More Leads? Think Again!
  Taking Current Customers For Granted Is Something Your Business Cannot Afford
  Today's rant - TV Sales Managers

Home > Business-Coach > Leanne Hoagland-Smith > Increase Sales by Surveying Your Customers Current and Future Needs
Article Tags: adage, anticipation, better sense, external customers, future market, going with the flow, innovation, insight, internal customers, internet surveys, knowing your customer, loyal customers, meaningful meetings, organizational assessments, relationship, sales professionals, short time, time span, wise words

About the Author: Leanne Hoagland-Smith
RSS for Leanne's articles - Visit Leanne's website

Executive consultant, sales coach and speaker, Leanne Hoagland-Smith, partners with innovative and crazy busy leaders who want to dramatically improve their team results. What this looks like differs for each firm and why a free strategy session is offered just by calling 219.759.5601 CDT USA to have a conversation about the results you are seeking. If you prefer you can forward a request to coach@processspecialist.com

Her book, Be the Red Jacket is a no-nonsense and quick read to help discover potential gaps that may be keeping you from your goal to increase sales. The forward is by Evan Carmichael of EvanCarmichael.com

Remember if you think you cannot or you think you can either way you are right. (Henry Ford). Sales Coaching Tip:  Change your thoughts; improve your results.

Click here to visit Leanne's website
Dashed Line

More from Leanne Hoagland-Smith
Business Building Check List
Leadership Assessment
Leadership Audit For Business


Related Forum Posts
Online Sales and Marketing vs Traditional Online Sales and Marketing vs Traditional - Hi Evan, I am noticing that many of the posts in the Sales/Marketing section deal with online marketing, SEM and and SEO and Affiliates. I was wondering if it might be a good idea to separate that section into two; 1) Online Sales and Marketing; 2) Traditional Sales and Marketing
Re: Two Useful Books To Help You Focus On The CLIENT Re: Two Useful Books To Help You Focus On The CLIENT - Hi David, To add to your thread, I'd like to recommend Jonathan Tisch's "Chocolates On The Pillow Aren't Enough: Reinventing The Customer Experience". Tisch's book includes content on "Welcoming Customers", "The New Art of Customization", "The Challenges of Customer Diversity" and "Offering Something Extra to Your Customers" to name a few.
Re: Online Sales and Marketing vs Traditional Re: Online Sales and Marketing vs Traditional - [quote="ltrahan":31w9r2iz]Hi Evan, I am noticing that many of the posts in the Sales/Marketing section deal with online marketing, SEM and and SEO and Affiliates. I was wondering if it might be a good idea to separate that section into two; 1) Online Sales and Marketing; 2) Traditional Sales and Marketing[/quote:31w9r2iz] I second the request...
Is It Me? Is It Me? - It's just that the 'Current Leaders' board on my computer shows 'March Posts' still, and we're in April now. Is it only me? Best regards
Future Financial Corporation Future Financial Corporation - I've never heard of Future Financial Corporation is this a new company?


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.



Featured Article


Bottom Footer
Share for a Cause












Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Popular Articles

Starting a Business a Brave Move or a NoBrainer

WHAT IS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING

Common Sense Stress Management

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.