Customer Is King
The Customer is Always Right
There is a popular saying in business, “The customer is always right.” Originally coined by Harry Gordon Selfridge, the original meaning suggests that “a company’s keenness is to put the customer first.”1 Ultimately this phrase indicates that businesses must be aware that their customers are the essence of their business. Without customers, the business would seize to exist. I concur with this philosophy as customers are the fundamentals to any business or organization. Although I do agree that the customer is always right, I must also state that I do no necessarily agree that it holds true 100% the time – no one is right all the time! The philosophy of the business does need to center on the customer. All relationships – even the most successful ones, can sometimes disagree. In business, as in life there no absolutes(perhaps with the exception of death and taxes!) What businesses need to remember is another common saying: no one wins an argument with a customer!
Most successful businesses have appealing products or services, they can provide those products or services in a timely and effective manner and they can provide these at a fair price. What sets many businesses apart is their position on customer value and their commitment to customer service. “Exceeding customer expectations is no longer an option. A customer’s experience must be a memorable one that initiates repeat business coupled with a positive word of mouth endorsement.”2 Customers are the reason that business exists in the first place, thus business policy and procedure should ultimately reflect customer service. In the last several years businesses has evolved with the integration of eCommerce and a growing population of educated consumers. As stated by Greg Gianforte “with the competition just a mouse-click away, businesses must excel at customer service.”3 Rapid evolution in business requires best business practices to be heightened to new
There is a popular saying in business, “The customer is always right.” Originally coined by Harry Gordon Selfridge, the original meaning suggests that “a company’s keenness is to put the customer first.”1 Ultimately this phrase indicates that businesses must be aware that their customers are the essence of their business. Without customers, the business would seize to exist. I concur with this philosophy as customers are the fundamentals to any business or organization. Although I do agree that the customer is always right, I must also state that I do no necessarily agree that it holds true 100% the time – no one is right all the time! The philosophy of the business does need to center on the customer. All relationships – even the most successful ones, can sometimes disagree. In business, as in life there no absolutes(perhaps with the exception of death and taxes!) What businesses need to remember is another common saying: no one wins an argument with a customer!
Most successful businesses have appealing products or services, they can provide those products or services in a timely and effective manner and they can provide these at a fair price. What sets many businesses apart is their position on customer value and their commitment to customer service. “Exceeding customer expectations is no longer an option. A customer’s experience must be a memorable one that initiates repeat business coupled with a positive word of mouth endorsement.”2 Customers are the reason that business exists in the first place, thus business policy and procedure should ultimately reflect customer service. In the last several years businesses has evolved with the integration of eCommerce and a growing population of educated consumers. As stated by Greg Gianforte “with the competition just a mouse-click away, businesses must excel at customer service.”3 Rapid evolution in business requires best business practices to be heightened to new