December 13

Is social media turning companies into the mom and pop shop of the old days?

Posted by Torben Rick
Filed under Customer Service | 1 Comment

The “Mom and Pop” businesses in our neighborhoods have always followed sound and pragmatic business practices, rooted in developing, maintaining and strengthening relationships with customers. The customers and the businesses valued those relationships because “Mom and Pop” offered convenience. They listened to their customers and used their suggestions to improve the business. They provided great service and found ways to thank their clientele. Social media is really nothing more than the simple application of these business practices in a digital form.

So if you are wondering about how to leverage Twitter, Facebook, blogs, forums, and the company Web site to achieve your organization’s goals, perhaps you are starting from the wrong point. As with the corner store, if your business uses social media to engage in conversations on a human level, you strengthen your business and allow your strategy – both corporate and social media – to evolve based on customer feedback.

“Mom and Pop” knew that their business was only as successful as their relationships with customers could make it. That’s the value of the direct connection to your customer, and that’s how every company can achieve success using social media – by facilitating the conversation.

The emergence of social media simply makes it more possible to connect directly with customers every day.

  • Google Buzz
  • email
  • Add to favorites
  • RSS
  • Reddit
  • Posterous
  • Mixx
  • Propeller
  • Identi.ca
  • del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Sphinn
  • Technorati
  • FriendFeed
  • LinkedIn

Related posts:

  1. Social media changes customer service landscape
  2. Social media as a business driver?
  3. Are negative reviews on social media expensive?
  4. Chasing complaining customers on social media?
  5. Is there a change in how customers’ concerns are addressed?

This entry was posted on Sunday, December 13th, 2009 at 9:32 am and is filed under Customer Service. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

One Response to “Is social media turning companies into the mom and pop shop of the old days?”

  1. Joy Rose on December 21st, 2009 at 5:03 pm

    I like what you have to say… Thanks! Also, reposted on our blog. Sending appreciation.

    http://joyrose.wordpress.com/2009/12/21/mom-and-pop-businesses-make-a-comeback-w-social-media-as-a-driving-force/

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