Customers are always right

Customers are always right

Who’s at the centre of the universe? For Davey Hughes, businessman and keynote speaker at the Bizzone Business Expo, it’s always the customer.

Hughes has built his Levin-based Swazi NZ outdoor clothing business into a highly successful business and refuses to make his clothes offshore.

However he admits it wasn’t easy making the move from possum trapper to businessman and he could have done with the help of a business book for dummies.

For those in business his recipe is simple:

• Be irreverent – be brave, courageous and innovative
• Create a brand and values that you keep
• Love your customers – they are always right
• Cash is king – understand the financials/costs and focus on profit margins
• Data is ‘God’ – use it to understand your customers, why they buy from you and to grow your business
• Service should be second to none
• Empathy with customers is important – you don’t have to be all things to all people; sharing similar values is important
• Treat customers and suppliers with respect
• Deliver on promises with honour and dignity
• Continue to surprise customers with your products, service and brands – exceed expectations
• Relationships must be two-way – listen, act and listen again
• Nurture brand evangelists – people who love to talk about your products
• Always visit customers and suppliers with a purpose
• Tell your story – with newsy newsletters, PR and advertising
• Pin your one-page business plan up where you and your staff can see it and act on it every day
• Measure productivity to get it up to 100%+
• Be out to win in business but have fun doing it.

Above all Davey Hughes focuses on the customer. “You need to put customers first and love them if you want to grow a business and never feel guilty about being in business.”

The Bizzone Business Expo is on:
Auckland 27-29 May
Wellington 22-24 July
Christchurch 5-7 August.

For more information on Bizzone or to interview one of the keynote speakers go to www.bizzone.com or contact Jane Parlane on 09 5201148

ENDS

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