During the last few weeks, Anny and I have had the opportunity to spend time with our elder daughter Sara Beth and family and it has been a pleasant change from the recent lockdown months.
A simple walk by the river at Upton on Severn enabled our two grandchildren the opportunity to run for miles, chase parents and grandparents and at the end of the day play on an excellent playground, paid for by the music festival I noticed.
We stepped into a tea shop for a quick cuppa and a light bite and there unfortunately the problems began…
As some of you know my two grandchildren have allergies (one severely) and frankly, it is challenging what they can have.
The tea shop was very nice, and the people were helpful. But very quickly it was clear they had little idea what having a child with allergies really is like. There was no easy reference to the ingredients of the products on sale and more to the point seemed quite mystified that we would need to know.
It became very complicated and time-consuming with conversations about what might or might not be in the products.
A straightforward allergy book with the details of their products would have made life quick and simple which would have made everyone happy.
We got there in the end but it could have been so much easier!
Fast forward to this weekend where we went to a different establishment, not far from Kidderminster, a garden centre the family has been to before but new to Anny and me. The difference was staggering.
The business really catered for allergies, had all the ingredients information easily to hand and even had a separate kitchen area to make sure there was no cross-contamination!
They were really on the ball, plus great value and nice people.
Most of all they made life very easy…
What’s the point, Peter?
When dealing with our business on a day-to-day basis it is very easy to fall into the trap of providing every piece of information, either through the website, social media, marketing material or email.
And now at last, when in a face-to-face conversation!
Given all the trials and tribulations of the last two years (and for some still ongoing, unfortunately) what most people want right now is simplicity, with knowledgeable businesses, a method to easily do business and with a friendly relaxed manner.
My question to you is are you making things too complicated right now?
Could you make your client or prospect journey better and perhaps more simplified?
Do your clients and prospects look to you for an easy answer or do they walk away confused, disappointed, and unfortunately perhaps tell their friends of a poor result?
The thing about the Family Business Practice is we have lots of individuals and businesses that can make your life both better and easier. If you haven’t been for a while perhaps you need to?
Until the next time…
Peter Roper.
