BizTribe

*** A “Nurture” business-tribe development tactic from Neturru to serve your organization. ***

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Neturru, a golden dragon representing the LINC communication process Step #3: Nurture

WOMM Tip #23: Make your motto: “Just ask.” Simply asking someone to help or share can often generate word-of-mouth.

My friend Cherie Scott first enlightened me about an easy way to get what you want in this world. It works in your personal life, but is also a powerful technique in business. Cherie’s secret is to “just ask.” And, boy, is she right.

This one small action can open doors and deliver your heart’s desire. It doesn’t always work but, more than not, it does. I practice it often, and you can, too.

• Do you want to work with a specific company? Just ask your network who knows someone at that company who could open a door for you. Social media works perfectly for this.

• Do you want someone to say something great about your organization so you can use it as a testimonial?Just ask if your customer would be willing to write up a couple of sentences about you.

• Do you want someone to help your organization accomplish something? Just ask others who they they know who might help out. Example: Say you needed administrative help in your office, but don’t have a budget for a new hire. You could ask a local university about its intern program. Some interns will even work for free just to gain the experience.

• Do you need to know more about a company, an industry, or a topic? Just ask people you know to connect you with a network contact with whom you can conduct an informational phone call or meeting.

• Do you want to serve on a board of an organization, or get business within a certain industry? Just ask if you can become involved. Volunteers are usually embraced immediately. Plus, demonstrating your good work usually results in great connections and even paid work through the contacts you make.

• Is a product not exactly what you expected? Just ask if it can be fixed.  Example: I order unusual drinks when I visit the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Often, it’s a Japanese Cherry green tea latte with chocolate, sugar-free powder. Vanilla powder is the norm for that drink and, once in a while, a barista makes it with the vanilla, which is just too sweet for my taste. I always ask if it can be made to my liking so I can truly enjoy it. Simply asking kindly, with a smile, results in an amazingly willing response to make exactly what I want. And, it’s almost always completed with a return smile.

• Does a service not meet your expectations? Just ask how the provider can make it right. Their positive response can totally change your opinion about their value and whether you’ll work with them again. Example: Recently, I ordered imprinted photo folders from Tyndell Photographic & Art Supplies, a company recommended to me by a colleague. Here’s what happened:

1. Tyndell’s Web site was a little limiting for describing the inscription I wanted on the folders.
2. None-the-less, I sent in the online order with a note that I needed the message on three lines and that I needed a proof, and to receive the folders by a certain date.
3. They called the next day to tell me they couldn’t do the inscription the way I wanted.
4. I was disappointed, but impressed they wanted to work with me on a compromise without charging me any extra. Plus, they assured me a new online ordering set-up was being implemented the following month. I received no less than four clarifying phone calls from them over the next few days.
5. The technical aspects of the order delayed the mailing and in tracking the mailing I realized the folders wouldn’t arrive until after the event for which I needed them had passed.
6. I called to tell Tyndell and they were willing to reprint and reship the order overnight at no extra charge. Luckily, this wasn’t necessary, as they worked with UPS to expedite the order enroute.
7. I received my order correct and on-time simply because of Tyndell’s customer service. I will definitely use them again, and here I am recommending them to you.

Tell us how you used the “Just Ask” technique and it resulted in getting you what you wanted?

[This is the another word-of-mouth marketing (WOMM) tip falling into Step #3: NURTURE of the Videan Unlimited LINC communication process. Nurture tactics are all about WOMM planning, incorporating the Listen (customer input) and Illuminate (differentiating) tips previously explored.]