Just 20 years ago we didn’t use such words as “globalization” and very few of us had understood the concept of e-mail, world wide web, blogging, social media, mobile phone and text messaging.
A lot has changed during the last 20 years, especially in our business world. The Internet has enabled consumers to easily seek out the best value for their money. People can buy the desired products and services from the convenience of their homes, from the vendors across the town or half-way around the world.
How can we, the small business owners, continue to prosper in this highly competitive world? The answer is – we must add a little bit of ourselves into everything we do.
Is it easy to do? No, it is not, because we need to spend a lot more time and effort in order to make a regular sale. However, what’s the alternative?
As a travel professional I see a large portion of my business going away to the websites, where no humans seem to exist. My solution is to offer something that is not available on any website – a simple human touch, caring attitude, personal experience and willingness to help.
Does it bring ALL of my customers back to me? No it doesn’t, because clearly there are many people who only care about saving a few dollars on the upfront purchase. They don’t want to receive an expert advice or have a professional help them to rearrange a complicated itinerary in case something goes wrong. Nevertheless, my “personal touch” allows me to work with an elite group of clients, who appreciate my unique add-on-value, which is not available anywhere else!
My hope is that your business can also reinvent itself and offer the products and services with your unique personal touch.
The alternative, I’m afraid, is not very encouraging!
Keep on traveling,
Lenka info@lenkatraveler.com
This is just so great describing the current status of most of the small business owners if not ALL of them. thank you so much for bringing it up and suggest the alternatives. However, yes, unfortunately it does not bring all your customers back, and i think there will be another alternative which is to be BOTH “dd a little bit of ourselves into everything we do” and “Make solid online market and compete prices down as much as possible”…..All does not seem very easy though 🙂