Few people actually enjoy criticism, and that’s understandable. Hearing negative comments about your business, your employees, or yourself can be disheartening and discouraging.
However, if you choose to look at the situation from a different angle, you might see the value of it. When criticism is constructive, it’s actually quite helpful — especially to business owners and entrepreneurs. Hearing what your customers and employees have to say, no matter how unflattering, can help you improve your business.
Feedback makes a difference
One of the most beneficial aspects of feedback is its ability to help you make improvements. When you’re aware of what people feel is not right, not good, or not useful within your business, it can help you to improve.
It might not be easy at first, but once you know what customers don’t appreciate, you can begin making changes to ensure you no longer hear complaints along the same lines.
Put yourself in your customer’s shoes
This is not that difficult and it’s actually useful. When you take a few minutes to place yourself in the shoes of your customers, you might develop the clarity to see what’s happening in your life and in your business. As a customer, what might you want to see in the way of improvement?
Once you have the answers to this question and more, you may begin to make the necessary changes. When you think like a customer, it makes it easier for you to accept criticism and move on.
Take compliments as seriously as complaints
It might seem easy to hear to a compliment, blow it off, and walk away thinking that your business is awesome. However, if you don’t take your compliments as seriously as your complaints, you could have a problem.
Compliments also help you to improve your business. Knowing where you excel is a great place to start making improvements. If one department is full of compliments from customers and another isn’t, you can use that to help you determine what could be the root of the issue.
Use surveys
Surveys are a great way to collect customer and even employee feedback while allowing them to remain anonymous. If you’re serious about making improvements, allowing anonymity is a good idea. People are more likely to be honest when they don’t have to reveal their identity.
Online surveys can enable you to initiate customer contact and feedback. It’s also an inexpensive way to help you improve the overall quality of your business. The key to using online customer surveys is knowing what to ask. The right questions will lead to the answers you’re looking for.
Be consistent about change
You’ll receive more honest feedback if you make it known that you take feedback and make it reality. When your customers see you effecting suggested changes and improvements, they’re more likely to remain loyal to your business.
One way to do this is to use social media to help you announce changes, improvements, and additions to your business. Keeping your customers in the loop allows them to feel you value their opinion and their feedback. This will help to continue their loyal business and help your business grow and improve.
Customer feedback is always important. You should always take it with a grain of salt, because sometimes it’s inaccurate or unfair. However, those who are willing to provide you with an honest opinion and feedback that’s actually useful to your business will help you grow your business.
Feedback isn’t always bad, even if it appears negative to begin with. Sometimes it’s actually a blessing in disguise. Knowing what’s wrong can help you learn how to make it right.
