Customer Service Information

Create Win-Win Deals With Your Competitors


In the competitive world of the 20th century, we generally viewed competitors as the enemy. And a competitor was anyone who sold to the same target audience as us - even if they sold a different item. After all, since there was a finite group of customers and a limited amount of money, if they spent it with your competitor, there was less for you.

Fast forward to the 21st century. We have a different view of the world. We now recognize that the pie is big enough for all of us. As Cavett Robert, co-founder of the National Speakers Association, said "The number of slices of pie is only limited by the size of the pie. Just make the pie bigger!" (paraphrased)

So how can you and your competitors create deals that benefit both of you - and your clients? Here are a few ideas:

1. If your competitor sells a product that is similar to yours, joint venture on a mailing to the list of people who have already purchased their product. You can offer your product and share in the profits. People in a target market are rarely satisfied with one item; instead, they will continue to buy items that are similar.

2. If your competitor publishes a book, ebook, or website, ask them to refer people to your site as a resource site. This can be included in their product or as a follow-up email to their clients.

3. If you offer a member site, ask your competitor to refer people to your site - for an affiliate commission. For example, SellYourBrain.com is a member site that helps people finish information projects like ebooks. The natural competitors are ebook authors who tell people how to write ebooks. However, by their referring their purchasers to SellYourBrain, the client is more likely to finish their ebook - making the ebook author look better in their eyes.

4. In turn, offer your competitor's product for sale on your member site. Again, SellYourBrain offers a monthly discount coupon good toward the purchase of ebooks on how to write ebooks.

5. When you're interviewed for a story about your product or service, offer to give the reporter related resources. The reporter will love having additional people to round out the story and your competitors will appreciate your referral. You come out as the hero to both groups.

Joel Christopher, noted online list-building expert, uses the phrase "co-opetition". That's a good word to adopt. Look for ways to build cooperation with your competition - so that your clients and prospects are the winners.

Dr. Jeanette Cates is an Internet strategist who works with experts who are ready to turn their knowledge and their websites into Gold. Her reputation as a speaker and trainer has earned her the title of The Technology Tamer. Jeanette shares her news and views in OnlineSuccessNews.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Customer Service
The Columbian, WA - 6 hours ago
Prefer applicants with experience working in a cable, telecommunications or related telephone customer service environment as they will be responsible for ...


SEPTA's Improved Customer Service Allows Riders to Discover ...
MarketWatch - Nov 21, 2008
"The SEPTA Customer Service Department was kind, polite, knowledgeable and respectful...helping me to get the answers I needed about re-applying. ...


Gilbert Hospital Kicks Off New Customer Service SMILE Campaign
MarketWatch - Nov 21, 2008
"We developed this after determining our customer service satisfaction survey scores weren't exactly where we wanted them to be," said Ms. Ritchie, ...


Clients Praise SilverSword for Exceptional Customer Service
MarketWatch - Nov 21, 2008
The survey assessed overall client satisfaction along with their appraisal of response time, consultant image and customer service. ...


North American Retailers Underperforming in Customer Service ...
PR.com (press release), NY - Nov 22, 2008
OB), the leading provider of multichannel customer service and knowledge management software on-premise or on-demand, today published its 2008 international ...


Customer service expert is new Rackspace board member
Bizjournals.com, NC - Nov 21, 2008
Reichheld is a leading authority on customer loyalty and an author and frequent speaker on the subject. A Harvard graduate, Reichheld founded Bain’s Loyalty ...


Best Syndication

High Customer Service Ratings Draw Customers to CallCentric
Best Syndication, CA - 21 hours ago
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a VoIP provider is having great customer service and simplicity. CallCentric is careful to offer ...


Cayman Net News

Local LIME Wins Customer Service Award
Cayman Net News, Cayman Islands - 9 hours ago
Previous awards events were hosted by the Cayman Islands and Panama, but this is the first time that Caribbean businesses won awards for customer service. ...


Cablecom's customer service problems are recognised by CEO
Telecompaper, Netherlands - 40 minutes ago
Liberty Global CEO Mike Fries has recognised the customer service problems at its Swiss subsidiary Cablecom, in an interview with Swiss financial magazine ...


Customer service week celebrated at Le Meridien
Malta Independent Online, Malta - 7 hours ago
Le Meridien St Julian’s Hotel & Spa celebrated its sixth annual Customer Service Week with some visible high points and unforgettable moments for its ...

Customer-Service - Google News

home | site map
© 2008