Incredible B2B Customer Service
Carle Publishing is a great example of a business that made the Customer Experience they deliver their #1 competitive advantage. Carle Publishing, headquartered in Eastern Canada, competes in a specialized niched marketing  industry. However, they have been experiencing incredible sales growth and Customer retention. Carle Publishing creates customized printed and digital magazines for regional and national brands looking to reach a niche target audience, as well as independent insurance agencies all over North America. “Right now, we are experiencing almost 80%+ growth year over year, and are achieving close to a 100% retention rate, largely attributed to the customer service we have learned from The DiJulius Group,” says Andy Buyting, CEO and President. |
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Best Practices: How do you make price irrelevant in the B2B world?
I strongly encourage you to read, forward, print and have a meeting with your executive team to discuss the following list of the best practices from Carle Publishing. Each one is an excellent business-to-business example.
Welcome Kit:
Really make new Client-Partners feel welcome by sending them a Welcome Kit that includes, among other things, the following:
Magazine Gift Pack:
Following each production of their customized magazine program:
Seasonal Gifts:
In June and in December each year, Carle Publishing sends a personalized autographed business book to each of their Customers.
Weekly Client-Partner Recognition:
Every week they recognized one Client-Partner for things such as:
Referral Program:
When a Client-Partner refers another potential customer, and that customer signs on as a Client-Partner, instead of giving a credit or a reward to the referring client, Carle Publishing makes a donation in their name to their favourite charity. This is a very tasteful way of saying thank you for their effort to make an introduction or referral. Some charities have received thousands of dollars in this fashion. These are charities that are valued by some of their best Client-Partners and advocates.
Client-Partner Advisory Board:
To help them keep learning and getting better, last year Carle Publishing formed a Client-Partner Advisory Board. Once or twice a year, the board of Customers gathers via video conference to review new ideas and ways in which Carle can improve their products or services. This has proven to be massively effective and is valued, not only the members of the Board, but especially by the Customers.
Free Educational Webinars:
Now each quarter, a one-hour video conference is scheduled for Customers to discuss a different topic each time. The webinars are put on so that their Customers can share and learn best practices from each other on how they use products.
Client-Partner Guidance on Strategy:
Like many companies, Carle Publishing holds annual and quarterly planning sessions for their key team as well as shareholders. During every planning session, they invite one of their Customers to join for about 30 minutes (via video conference). The Customers are asked to give direct feedback (good and bad) about products and services while all key staff members and shareholders listen in. This always opens a great dialogue with everyone taking part and learning first-hand about things they are doing right, as well as ways that they can improve. Many of their best ideas have come from these “Customer appearances” at their planning sessions. Carle Publishing always follows up by recognizing them with a Thank You gift of some kind.
What are some of the Best Practices you use at your company?
Please comment at the bottom.
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America’s #1 Customer Service Conference, the Secret Service Summit, is only 7 months away! This year’s lineup of speakers is probably the strongest compilation of Customer Experience experts and executives from world-class brands; Verne Harnish, Sally Hogshead, John DiJulius, David Horsager, and Captain Charlie Plumb are some of the powerhouses taking the stage this year. Check out the full list below and don’t forget to save the date: September 29 & 30. Register here today and SAVE $600! Watch NEW Trailer!
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