In the 1980’s there was a great show, the A-Team. Former Vietnam Veterans survived as soldiers of fortune. As the opening song goes (just before launching into a stellar set of action sequences):
“If you have a problem,
if no-one else can help,
and if you can find them,
maybe you can hire the A-Team.”
That’s quite a tall order! Just imagine if “no-one” else could help you. Just envision looking all over town and finding the A-Team, and then “maybe” you could hire them to solve your problem.
Even though their nemesis, Col. Decker, couldn’t seem to ever catch them, each week the new people in need were able to find them for help. The A-Team would often face insurmountable odds to help their clients, but they always delivered, and those clients would keep spreading the word about these mysterious soldiers of fortune.
Would your customers search the Los Angeles Underground for your help?
After a prospect searched all over and you were their last bit of hope would you keep them on edge to wonder if you would help them?
It’s likely you wouldn’t make it that difficult on your customers, but the A-Team did have a few items right that when put into action will give you the edge and you won’t have to look over your solider for Col. Decker.
- Problem Solving – The A-Team had incredible problem solving skills. Nearly every episode featured a montage of them using cutting torches, spare parts, and anything available to beat the “bad guys”. When you solve a problem for your customer, don’t tell them “no problem”; give them insight into HOW you solved them. Let them know it was above and beyond what was normal because you wanted to help.
- Exclusivity – Surviving as soldiers of fortune means they just couldn’t help everyone. A little bit of exclusivity goes a long way! Sure, companies like Walmart are designed to help everyone, but most businesses aren’t serving “the masses”. Create exclusivity with your time, your services, and even the products you sell and watch as you are able to charge premium prices.
- Reputation – If the A-Team was allowed to have a Yelp account, they would have 100’s of 5 star reviews (ok, so they were only 97 episodes, maybe they would only have 97 5 star reviews). In today’s world we have to let others share testimonials about your business. Make it easy for customers to share their reviews on Yelp, Google Places, Facebook and more. Let those you have provided outstanding service for, spread your good reputation.
While we certainly hope you are never framed for a crime you didn’t commit we hope you can let the A-Team give you a few insights into improving your business.
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