Wednesday 5 September 2012

Handling suggestion boxes


In order to have a better view of the way that clients perceive a certain company or a certain store it is important to offer them a manner in which they can freely express their own opinion. Some prefer a question asked at the cash register in which the assistant asks in a direct way if the client was satisfied with the product. This may be funny once or twice, but in the end, the client will get totally frustrated with the question. In many cases, some clients are not that talkative or really would like to avoid talking to perfect strangers. Even if at first this personal approach may seem appealing, after a while the whole strategy should be changed. It is known that if a client feels any aggression or discomfort with a certain situation, it is likely that he will change his pattern of shopping and choose another brand or store. In this case a more discreet manner of asking for opinion is required.


 
In many stores and shops, the owners have installed a suggestion box which has the simple role of collecting the suggestions that people have. It should be in plain sight and people need to be comfortable to its existence. Also they have to be aware that their opinion will count once it is cast in the box. Many people simply do not want to complete a survey or write something on a piece of paper because they are certain that no one would actually read it. The shop assistant could signal the existence of the box and explain the client that his opinion is valued and for sure someone will read all the things he writes there. It is also recommendable to offer a spacious, yet private place near the suggestion box where people can hold on for a second and write down what they want. Not providing such a space and putting the box in a rather alienated style in the middle of the venue will be of no encouragement for people. In this way they cannot find a proper place to express their own opinion and will pass by the box ignoring it.

Handling such boxes may be quite challenging as people have a variety of needs and expectations. It is improper to say that they actually have all the time in the world and they would gladly spend minutes just feeling great about completing a survey. Actually in the real world, people seem to be busy all the time and making someone fill in a piece of paper is harder than ever before. This is why it might be beneficial to introduce a certain reward for expressing the opinion. It will give the whole process the depth it needs and it will stimulate clients to complete a survey. Many companies are determined to offer a prize to the most pertinent opinion or organize a contest in which a person who has participated in the survey will be able to win something. 


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