Thanks to everyone for their patience in the last two weeks. There were loads of Valentine's orders that I had to get done, and unfortunately, was not able to get as much done as I'd hoped. By tomorrow, I will have caught up with all orders, and processing should be back to "normal" speed of 3-7 business days.
I get a lot of emails about getting business advice. Because this takes away quite a bit of time from processing customer orders, I only reply when I have the time to, unfortunately. I'd LIKE to reply to every one, but I simply don't have the time to do that outside of my own business, plus classes and life responsibilities-- thank you for understanding! But because of this, I thought I'd go ahead and provide some business advice every once in a while on a blog, just some things I've learned from experience, since I have very little "book" knowledge of business.
Something huge was brought to my attention a few days ago, and it's been bothering me. I personally witnessed a business owner complaining about their customers, claiming that their customers were "rude" and even used some dirty language to describe them. No matter how large or small your business is, NEVER openly complain about the customer. NEVER. I really don't care what your excuse is. YOU, as the business owner, have just compromised your business by doing that. You NEVER know who is watching or listening, and you NEVER know how this can turn around and bite you on the butt. It's EXTREMELY unprofessional. YOU, as the business owner, should adhere to the rule that "the customer is always right", EVEN IF, sometimes, you truly feel they are not. NEVER openly complain about them (especially if there's a paper trial, just like how you shouldn't complain about work on Facebook, SAME IDEA). Go write in your diary or tell your spouse about it, but never openly express your feelings of frustration.
When I have a less-than-pleasant transaction, I always think to myself "where did I go wrong, and how can I improve to prevent this from happening in the future?" Then, I turn around and compensate the buyer for their inconvenience, because customers should NOT have to deal with things they were not expecting. Think about it. How would you feel, as the customer, if FOR EXAMPLE, the business owner if your local grocery store said something nasty about you? Or perhaps, it can even be something general as "gosh, the customers on my checkout line were SO DIFFICULT today".
It makes me so mad to see that these business owners are NOT THANKFUL for their buyers, but continue to complain about how difficult their customers can be. BIG NO NO. In this economy, we must all be thankful for what we have. Especially for business owners who depend on their business as a way of making a living, this is crucial. For businesses who want to be successful, this is crucial. Regardless of how large or small your business is, whether or not you have a business license. If you consider yourself a business, you must adhere to some rules of integrity and ethics. When you don't, your business becomes devalued, it'll carry over to the other aspects of your life, and you as a person. Think about it.
If you are an artist and want to be famous one day, but today, you are handling all the business aspects as well, perhaps it is time to consider handing the business side over to someone who knows how to take care of it, while you focus on improving your artwork.
Anyway, it makes me so mad. Something to throw out there for ya'll to think about. Anyone here, as a customer, ever witnessed business owners complaining about their customers?
... that aside :)
Two new cuff sets!
This one is ONE OF A KIND, only ONE in this world!
And I got beautiful wings in stock, so I thought I'd use em' :)
Enjoy your long weekend, for those who have tomorrow off!
love,
Lisa
heqicrystaldesigns@hotmail.com
SHOP HE QI
