Devoted to small businesses and those who run them

Craftrends magazine recently ran an article in their Consumer View section with a hit list of the five frustrations that probably plague stores everywhere.  If you're operating a small business, it's even more important that you stress to your employees that customer service is what creates loyalty and keeps the business coming in.

Wondering what the five bloopers are that businesses everywhere commit to the memory of their clientele?  While their feature focuses on craft stores, you can bet they'll apply to just about every company's venture.

Are you committing these frustrating faux pas?

• No help -- do your customers have to hunt someone down to ask a simple question or find a product?
• Slower-than-molasses checkout -- are you properly staffed for peak hours, and are your cashiers trained to ring up customers in a quick and efficient manner?
• Uninspiring ambiance and dust-clogged atmosphere -- clean the shelves, clean your samples, and run a mop over the floor.  Hey, while you're at it, dust off those light fixtures.  It'll help.
• Force customers through aisles that are cluttered and too small -- can you say liability if they trip and fall?  'Nuff said.
• Give bad advice or incorrect answers instead of finding out the real deal -- nothing will infuriate a customer faster!

Walk your store soon and look for these five problems.  Then figure out ways you and your staff can fix them.  It'll definitely help your business!