There are many trials and tribulations that come with running a service business. Some months will have you busier than you could ever believe while others may see fewer than 50 calls. One of the most important elements of your service business is the ability to maintain consistency.
While this is often easier said than done, the element of consistency goes further than just affecting your service work.
Benefits of Consistency
A more consistent business helps your employees feel safer and more secure in their role. Many service businesses across the country need to downsize in slower months to keep their doors open, knowing they will rehire those employees when the busy season comes back.
Some people don’t mind constant change, but the majority prefer stability and consistency which also leads to higher rates of employee satisfaction. If you’re inconsistent in the rules and standards you set, your employees may end up feeling confused or even slighted.
So you are saying to yourself “that’s great, but what does this have to do with growing my business?”. One thing internal consistency breeds is customer loyalty. People are loyal to businesses because they are consistent with good customer service and with their pricing. No surprises, just what they come to expect when they go to XYZ business.
Too many companies operate on a case-by-case fashion which is disorganized, undisciplined, and certainly inefficient. Whether it’s a phone system, order handling, or general attitude, with the best companies, customers know what to expect each and every time.
Consistent does not mean boring or robotic. It is a road map for each area of your business. It is possible to be extremely uniform without stifling creativity and originality. Being consistent allows you to more successfully measure changes in the business. When implementing new schemes or processes, you willhave more reliable results to analyze when measuring the success of the new idea or working method.
Consistency can also assist with accountability. Set aside time to discuss the progress of a project frequently. This will help keep you up to date and motivate staff to complete their tasks on time. Meeting face to face to talk about developments almost sets a mini deadline, so doing this regularly will ensure continued forward momentum.
Here are words to live by – If you are persistent, you will get it. If you are consistent, you will keep it. We all know that it is cheaper to keep current customers than to gain new ones.
