ALL CONTENT AND PHOTOS WRITTEN AND SUBMITTED BY NIALA RAMKALLAWAN
All across the globe, businesses have upped their game to cater for the demand this festive Christmas season brings. In Trinidad and Tobago, entrepreneurs are positioning themselves strategically, either online or at various pop-up marketplaces and spaces to provide their customers accessibility, competitive prices, and convenient shopping, along with additional perks of FREE admission and secure parking.
It is not surprising that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises pour their talent, ingenuity, innovation, and lengthy production hours to expend resources in anticipation of demand for and during this holiday time. With our calibre of imaginative, talented, multi-skilled and pioneering entrepreneurs in Trinidad and Tobago, you will certainly find that perfect gift for a family member, friend, neighbour, co-worker or even relative abroad, from an assortment of unique, locally made food and beverages, arts and crafts, home and garden décor, beauty products, and ornamental plants to items for your pets.
Local entrepreneurs, your busiest season is here again, where the ‘Impossible’ really spells out ‘I’m Possible’. The month of December is a period when sales skyrocket, products are held in reserve, orders are surpassed, appointments overbooked, and demand exceeds supply. As entrepreneurs, we need to maximize on our efficiency with regards to time, labour and resources to satisfy our customers and clients alike.
We're already in the heart of the Christmas season, gifting is on everyone’s mind and customers will be pouring in. My advice is to capitalize on this opportunity: if you intend to launch a new product - offer trials and samples; looking to extend your service offering - put some marketing into it and incorporate social media handles; hoping to re-brand and re-launch an existing product - do market research, and in even introducing a new product on the market - push advertising and promotions.
The key to acquiring a growth in sales is to focus and drive your Unique Selling Point (USP). But you can also add a couple more interesting elements to your mix by doing our Challenge for the Week.
I challenge you for an entire week: To delight your customer this festive season
(You can choose to incorporate at least 2 of the following to your existing marketing and sales strategy.)
~ Provide exceptional customer service
~ Give encouraging and positive compliments
~ Encourage feedback, solutions or suggestions
~ Give discounts on specialty products
~ Create bundled items or packages
~ Have samples on hand and offer product trials
~ Use special/customised packaging (inclusive of festive colours and designs)
~ Present coupons and vouchers, or introduce loyalty cards
~ Give complimentary/promotional items such as pens, key chains, or calendars branded with your business logo when purchases are made
The key to attracting new customers and retaining existing ones is by being creative. Do not be afraid to enhance your current business strategy this season, be observant, ask questions and gauge reactions.
For all those entrepreneurs who are new to this entrepreneurial journey - I welcome you.
To those entrepreneurs who are diversifying their product line - I applaud you; and to those entrepreneurs who keep that momentum going - I support you.
Many times you will hear the term or see the hashtag "shop local, support local". I urge you as an entrepreneur to support other entrepreneurs like yourself in this season of gifting.
Productive Tips To Assist In Gifting This Christmas Season:
1. Offer a product within a specific budget, taking into consideration the designated spending limit of a person. You can offer varying sizes of your product at different price ranges to cater to these customers.
2. Be knowledgeable and confident about your product offering, whether it be a good or service. Encourage customers to ask questions or voice concerns before purchasing if they’re unsure about your product.
3. Ensure the customer is delighted after making a purchase; they want to be feel satisfied and assured that they received a good deal or bargain.
4. Be flexible in your business strategy: offer vouchers, coupons, and loyalty incentives, so that customers have more gifting and purchasing options.
5. Encourage marketing and social media following. It doesn't hurt to have on hand suitable business tags, labels and call cards to boost your visibility and brand.
6. Build and manage relationships with your customers; encourage customers to tell a friend and that referrals and feedback are welcome.
7. Gather vital data. Yes, you heard me correctly. This is the perfect time to ask a few questions, get feedback and also get a start on your mailing list.
8. Offer complimentary items when you can. Also, be mindful that customers tend to appreciate samples, discounts or bundled offers.
As Christmas is upon us, let us remember spreading love, cheer and happiness is an essential element of GIFTING, whether a present or package. Our role as entrepreneurs is to retain regular and lifetime customers, as well as, gain occasional ones. Getting customer engagement and building customer loyalty are top priorities.
Remember to WOW your customer. To make a customer feel special and exceed their expectations will be determined by your skill, attitude and competence, partnered with providing the right gift based on your talent, innovation, expertise or specialization.
During this season of gifting, be the reason a customer smiles and is delighted today.
It’s a feeling that will provide immense satisfaction and give you that extra push along your entrepreneurial journey.
Sources:
https://marketingartfully.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/excellence-gift.jpg
https://savesocial.net/media/1474647829229190600_4740570188/
About Niala
I am a Freelance MSE & Social Media Advisor, the Owner/Founder of Gia’s Creative Studio and YBTT Mentor/Advisor providing ‘Insights from a Creative Entrepreneur’ on transformational leadership, strategy, forging a legacy, motivation and success.
Niala Ramkallawan, MBA, BSc.
You can find me on:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/niala-r-71b12742/
YBTT - https://ybcaribbean.skysthelimit.org/volunteer-profile/15317
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/giascreativestudio/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/giascreativestudio.868/
