What is the definition of consistency?
1.) agreement; harmony; logical connection
2.) agreement with what has already been
done or expressed; conformity with previous practice.
The word conformity is the key. People strive on consistency, and when that is broken, people tend to get confused, and even
discouraged. We do not like change, and when a business completely
changes its conformity of previous practice, clients will shy away.
Now we are not talking about visual consistency. It is always practical
to keep your site fresh and new, with up to date features and specials.
Consistency is the way you practice your professional etiquette.
Here are some example of what needs to maintain its consistency:
1.) If you publish a newsletter or ezine, and the publication is issued
on a certain day of the week, or time of the month, make sure you always publish when you say you will. People expect to see it and if
they don't, it shows that you lack consistency, and if you lack in this
area, what other areas do you lack in?
2.) If you do follow ups once a week, make sure you keep it at once a week. Not twice a week, or once every other week. If you are too
busy to keep to that kind of schedule then you are too busy to
perform a professional business.
3.) If you answer your mail every day, make sure you do it every day.
People will email you with a question and expect an answer within a certain time period. If you do not answer with in that time period that
you normally answer your mail, people will get discouraged, and walk
away. They will think you don't care. If for some reason you cannot get to your mail (on vacation, etc...)
Make sure you let people know. Send out a mailing or turn on an autoresponder
letting people know when you will get back to them.
4.) If you promise to ship a product within a certain amount of time, and people
know to expect it in that time frame, make sure you process that order and get
it out when promised. If you don't, you will lose any future purchases from that person.
5.) We all make mistakes. It is human nature. No one is perfect. If you do make a mistake,
overlook an important order, or call-back, Be honest, and let the individual know that you
did make a mistake. People tend to respect you more if you admit to a mistake and do
everything you can to accommodate the person due to any inconvenience. Covering
up and making excuses just makes you look bad. Do you honestly think that people cannot
see through lies? It is the most transparent act, and it won't work.
Consistency in a business is probably the most valuable asset you can have. Once
that is broken, the chance your business will go on a steady decline is very probable.
If your business practices maintains its consistency, you will gain respect, build
a professional reputation for your business, and you can grow as a person, knowing
that you always maintain your business etiquette by always being consistent
with
your practices.
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Author: Debbie Solomon
Debbie is the Creator of The HomeSource Arena,
which is The Leading Source in Certified Home Employment,
and owner of The Online Exchange Ezine, a Top Rated,
world renowned Ezine. The only Ezine that will give you
FREE Access into an Exclusive Members Only Club, just
for subscribing for FREE to The OnLine Exchange Ezine.
Please visit her site at:
http://www.marketingtrendz.com
editor@marketingtrendz.com
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