7 Profound Leverage Questions

This week together we have focused on the theme of Leverage.  Today’s e-letter provides you with a tangible tool, namely,  profound leverage questions to ask your current customers.  If you ask these questions, and then act on the insights revealed you will be positioned for action to take you to a new level of success. 
 
7 - Profound Leverage Questions to Ask Your Customers
 
“Failures are divided into two classes - those who thought and never did, and those who did and never thought.”  John Charles Salak
    
It’s amazing how little most businesses know about their customers - even after repeat transactions with them.  One of the major reasons strategies, marketing campaigns and ultimately businesses fail is due to poor information. 
 
How sad that but for the application of a simple and disciplined approach of gathering information — an entire strategic shift, extreme leverage, and exponential growth in your business falls through your grasp.
 
What is this simple and disciplined approach?  — The art of listening and asking questions.  Consider the method of the greatest teacher in history as reported in the Book of Luke, Chapter 2, verse 46 “…They found Him in the temple sitting in the midst of the teachers both listening to them and asking them questions.”
 
If you want delighted customers, competitors left chewing on your dust, and soaring profits then seek knowledge, gain understanding and apply wisdom in the marketplace.  Sounds great, but what is the trick you ask?  Nearly 95% of small businesses will never act on what I am about to share, will you be part of the 5%?
 
Without further delay, here are the 7 - Profound Leverage Questions for you to ask your customers:
     1. How did you come to find us and do business with us the first time?
     2. Why do you buy and/or continue to buy from us?
     3. What value do you receive from our products or services?
     4. Who else do you buy from, besides us, for such products or services?
     5. What challenges or issues have you experienced in doing business with us?
     6. What need or challenge do you have right now, that must be solved?
     7. What personal dreams or goals are you most passionate about achieving?
 
Why are these so profound you might ask?  Because virtually no one ever asks them.  Let me ask you, when was the last time that anyone you buy from (restaurant, dentist, gasoline station, office supply store, auto dealer, real estate agent, etc.) ever asked you, as the customer, even one of these questions?
 
Do you think you would have a significant competitive edge if you had the answers to all seven of those questions from your customers?  Have you noticed all the questions I’m asking you?  Oops - I just did it again. 
 
OK, here is your challenge - start small - go ask just three of your key customers the above 7 - Profound Leverage Questions.  I promise you will be blown away by some of the answers you receive.  The insights and obvious action that will come from this exercise will stun you!
 
The result for you is instant leverage on a silver platter!

WORK SMARTER TIP OF THE WEEK
While nothing beats in-person, face-to-face time with your customers, sometimes the use of online tools is a great way to leverage your time.  For a simple way to create online surveys use SurveyMonkey.com — http://www.surveymonkey.com/.  Come on, with a name like that you just have to check it out!

DAILY PRAYER
Father, You sent your son, Jesus to earth to do only Your will.  Reveal to us all of the times and examples of Him listening and asking questions.  Help us to model Him in the marketplace.  Align our heart to be motivated to serve by meeting the true needs of others — needs that we must discover through observation, listening and asking questions.  In the name of Jesus, Amen.
 
The theme for next week will be the Power of Your Business Identity.  You will learn all about creating your UVP - Unique Value Proposition.  Until then, start listening to your customers — ask them the 7 - Profound Leverage Questions, and then act!
 
Please consider forwarding this edition of The Weekly Trio onto your associates and friends that could benefit.  Thank you!

Michael Stay