As the month of March comes to a close and the college basketball season is filled with full-court madness, many of us are hoping that our favorite team will reach the final four. As business owners, we hope to inspire the same loyalty with our customers that college teams enjoy in the tournaments. This commitment is not gained over night. Customer loyalty and commitment is grown through your team’s hard work, integrity and respect for the customer – your fan.

As the coach of the team it is your job to provide an effective and consistent game plan that will establish the best plays to assure that your customers will be satisfied and loyal. The good news for business is that this window of opportunity is not seasonal – every day is the perfect time to recognize the value of your fan base. Here are some tips to help you stay in the game:

Commit To Your Playbook: To be consistent and successful, it is important for a company to have a playbook – just like a sports team – that is filled with processes and standards that lead to profitability and success for the team. This playbook is the road map to keep your team headed toward the goal that has been set before them. It is also valuable when those unexpected roadblocks are encountered along the way. Now is the time to review your playbook, teach it to your team, and commit to the strategy.

Motivate and Talk To Your Team: How many times have you watched a basketball team struggle the first half of a game – only to come back on fire and win the game in the last minutes? This spirit to win is often attributed to the coach’s speech in the locker room and around the bench. It is important to break away – as a team – for a day to review all aspects of your company, and identify areas that need to be adjusted to meet the needs of your customer. This will motivate your team to stay on track, finish strong, and head into victory.

Show Respect to the Fans: Are you listening to your fans – your customers? At this time of year, you have one quarter under your belt and it is important to assess your company’s fan base. Be vigilant in watching their response when interacting – whether in the home, at a trade show, or through online communications and reviews. How can you modify your product or how it is sold to increase revenues in the months ahead?

At R2R Marketing, we are ready to size up your strengths and help you identify opportunities for a one-of-a-kind playbook that is unique, innovative and includes a winning strategy. Call 757-482-3492 or visit us at www.r2rmarkets.com to learn how we can help!