Skype v Hangouts
Still using Skype for video calling? You should take a look at Google+ Hangouts, which are free, and provide arguably the best video conferencing platform ever.
A lot of companies I interviewed recently say they used Skype before Hangouts, but abandoned Skype when making comparisons:
In small type, Skype warns: “Group video calling can be between 3 and 10 people, depending on the device. For best quality, we recommend up to 5 people.”
Focusing on customer communication is important to the long-term success of any business. In the early stages of the relationship, effective communication ensures your product or service meets the customer’s immediate needs. As time goes on, regular communication with your customer base allows you to adapt and grow so you can continue to meet its requirements.
Gaining Clarity
Clarity of communication is important when attempting to understand what the customer truly needs. Attaining clarity often involves asking key questions to gain a better understanding of the customer’s situation. Providing the customer with a clear understanding of what actions you intend to take the remedy the situation along with a specific time frame leaves little doubt in her mind of what to expect and eliminates confusion or misunderstandings.
Staying in Touch
Failure to communicate with customers for extended periods of can cause them to forget about you or make them think you no longer care about their business. When the time comes where they need your services again, they may decide to look to your competition instead. Even if a customer doesn’t have a current need for what your business provides, the simple act of staying in touch with a newsletter, email or even the occasional in-person visit can reassure them you’re still there to assist them whenever they need you.
Then if you would like to use a different address for your business (so for example you do not want to use your personal home address) you can get a virtual office address from a great city like London so that all mail is forwarded to you and you get a very impressive looking business address (you can get these in other cities too).
Reinforcing the Sale
Communication can serve as a valuable reinforcement tool to solidify the purchase. For example, a salesperson who stays in touch with a customer in the period immediately following the sale can reinforce the benefits of his product or service and how they meet the customer’s needs. They can also quickly address any problems the customer may have, such as attempting to figure out how to use a new product. In the process, the salesperson can also lay the foundation for a long-term relationship leading to repeat sales.
