Welcome - This appears to be your first visit to Buzzoodle

Sign up for our FREE fast start - email Internet Buzz course - and get a fast start on creating buzz. Click here and get started
    Primary Blog Topics
  • Employee Evangelism
  • Buzz & Word of Mouth Marketing
  • Web 2.0 and Social Media
 RSS - Never Miss a Post

Keeping Promises - Buzzworthy?

November 19, 2006

As I was writing my post from Friday, I had the terribly interesting idea to talk about systems that can help you create buzz, and I wrote about tracking promises as one of the bullet points.  I thought I would expand on it here.  This is a big issue, and no one likes to admit they do not follow through on all of their promises.

It is easy to imply things or agree to something and not deliver.  Not every time, but you always have potential customers that say, “No onions.” and then you deliver their food with onions.  Or you say the software does something that it either does not do, or it is difficult to make do it. Or you say you can get something by a deadline and it is nearly impossible to accomplish.

These kinds of things are critical to creating a positive experience with the customer and creating buzz.  Have you ever bought something that you thought was going to be a pain but went very smoothly because of good planning on the part of the vendor?  Have you bought something and said WOW, that was fun?

Those vendors kept their promise.

So here is the deal.  It is hard to get every employee in the organization to create buzz by spreading stories.  I believe it can be done in many types of business, but it is hard and take a while to get in place.  Regardless of an employees willingness to directly create buzz, his or her attitude towards making and keeping promises on behalf of the company could create enough buzz all by itself.

Here are some points to consider when training employees on promise keeping:

  • You may not think you are making a promise, but the customer may.
  • Approach each task as if it is a promise you made to someone you care about.
  • Telling someone no is better than breaking a promise down the road.
  • Delivering what is promised is the minimum option, not the goal.
  • Do not promise things that cannot be controlled.  Let people know the risks and rewards.
  • Feel good when you keep your promise to the customer.  It is not just a job, it matters to the people you are working with.

Of course, sales people need to have a meeting and discuss what can and cannot be promised.  After, you may decide that you have some things you frequently promise but cannot always fulfill.  Find ways to manage those expectations and clarify your promise in the sales cycle.  Your buzz will be much greater.

- Thank You!

Posted by Ron McDaniel | Filed Under Small Business, Buzzoodle, Employee Advocates 

Are people BUZZING about you?

Sign up FREE today and your will get:

  • 99 Websites Where You Can Create Buzz Now

  • Buzz Marketing Email Course
    20 Lessons on Building Buzz

  • Buzzoodle eBuzz!
    Buzz and Internet Marketing News and Tips

Rate This:

Comments

One Response to “Keeping Promises - Buzzworthy?”

  1. rroossinck on March 30th, 2007 4:11 pm

    I’ve enjoyed this thought, Ron. Thanks for sharing it. Great stuff, and if we’re putting the customer at the center of our business, this is one of the rules of the road.

Got something to say?