“Customer obsession” is a famous and frequently misinterpreted phrase nowadays. While many businesses are okay with focusing on and addressing the demands of their customers, they are missing out on substantial possibilities to create deeper, longer-lasting relationships. True customer obsession entails converting our customers into customers who have faith in, advocate for, and return to our company.

In this article, we’ll look at examples of customer obsession, steps on how to master it, and why it is essential. So if you’re looking to take your customer experience to the next level, read on to learn about customer obsession and how to make it work.

What is customer obsession?

Customer obsession is a business philosophy that puts the customer’s needs and satisfaction at the center of all organizational decision-making and actions. This approach is based on the belief that by focusing on the customer, a company can better understand their needs and preferences and create products and services that meet and exceed their expectations.

To be genuinely customer-obsessed, a company must always prioritize the customer experience. This means that everyone in the company, from the top down, must work hard to make sure the customer is happy every time they deal with the company.

Customer obsession can look like many things in real life, like listening to customer feedback and using it to improve products and services, giving excellent customer service, and going above and beyond to meet customer needs. By focusing on the customer, companies can build strong, long-lasting relationships with them. This can lead to more loyal customers and, in the end, business success.

Examples of Customer-Obsessed Companies

The examples certainly paint a picture of customer obsession. It would take much work for a company of any size to replicate them consistently. But any company, regardless of size, location, or industry, can be customer-obsessed.

Target

The big-box retailer received high marks for its COVID response. With improved employee pay and benefits, Target prioritized them above customers and quickly increased the number of drive-up options available. Target also draws attention to social issues by working with POC designers to expand its product line.

Nike

Nike keeps challenging conventions and thinking outside the box. Customers can access in-store workshops and events through the company’s app, which provides recommendations through chat. A shoe bar and consultations are available at additional Nike Live locations being opened by the brand.

Starbucks

The coffee giant gave up in-person dining to enhance drive-thru and delivery services, and it continues to improve its app and rewards program, which were already among the best. The advanced Deep Brew AI system streamlines operations, making it easier for employees to help customers.

McDonald’s

McDonald’s is expanding its business by using reliable digital solutions, such as kiosks and mobile ordering, allowing faster and more individualized service. McDonald’s had to hire 265,000 workers to keep up with demand throughout the pandemic.

Shopify

Shopify, which Fast Startup ranked as the #1 most innovative company, immediately changed course during the epidemic to introduce tools to aid small businesses as they transitioned to e-commerce. Its app features local shops and has developed a plug-in to make shoppable adverts for TikTok.

Google

The internet giant coordinated contact tracing efforts, used Google maps to track cases, established a fund to enable employees to take paid time off if they tested positive for COVID, and gave $800 million to small businesses and healthcare institutions. Google additionally assisted in halting the pandemic’s false information from spreading.

Priorities of a Customer-Obsessed Business

Typically, a customer-focused company puts the following things first:

Customer wants and satisfaction – All organizational decisions and actions are primarily driven by the demands and contentment of the customer
Customer experience – A company that focuses on the customer wants a smooth and positive experience at every touchpoint, from the first point of contact to after-sale support
Customer feedback – A company that values its customers actively seeks out, pays attention to and acts on customer feedback to continuously enhance its goods and services
Customer service – A company focused on satisfying its customers highly prioritizes offering top-notch customer service and goes above and beyond
Customer loyalty – A business focused on its customers wants to build long-term relationships and encourage customer loyalty by meeting and exceeding their expectations

Steps to Build a Customer-Obsessed Culture

Identify your customer’s needs

You must first find out what your customers want to make your business more customer-focused. You might employ the following methods to determine your customers’ needs:

Gather and evaluate customer data – To better understand your customers and their needs, look at data such as demographics, purchase history, and comments
Do customer surveys – You can ask customers about their needs and preferences through surveys, focus groups, or customer interviews
Pay attention to client behavior – Watch how customers use your goods and services and any issues they encounter. This can help you understand their needs
Keep track of client feedback – Use social media, online reviews, and other avenues to monitor consumer feedback. This might give you helpful information on what your clients appreciate and find annoying about your goods and services

You may thoroughly understand your customers’ requirements and preferences by gathering and evaluating their data and feedback. This will enable you to design better your goods and services to match their needs.

Create the Product/Service and Plan How to Market it (Planning)

The next step is to develop a product or service that satisfies those wants and make marketing plans after determining your target market’s needs. Here are some essential factors to consider when preparing to promote a new good or service:

Identify your target audience – Determine the precise clientele your product or service is designed to serve. This will enable you to target the appropriate demographic with your marketing initiatives
Investigate your rivals – Consider what comparable goods or services are offered on the market and how they are promoted. This will assist you in comprehending the market and differentiating your interest or service
Choose your marketing strategy – Think about the marketing “four Ps”: product, pricing, promotion, and place. What marketing technique would you employ to position your good or service, and what price scheme will you implement? Where will you sell your goods or services, and how will you advertise them?
Create a marketing strategy – Make a thorough plan defining your marketing strategy and techniques based on your research and analysis to reach your target market and accomplish your business goals

You can improve your chances of success and successfully target people by carefully considering how to sell your good or service.

Create the proper team to maximize client satisfaction

Nobody can do it alone, whether they operate a little business out of their garage or a large corporation with thousands of people. Building a team that is committed to and understands your mission is essential.

Hiring – Find and hire great people who will help you reach your goals and who put meeting customer needs first
Onboarding – Even the most experienced people on your support staff need to learn more about your business to be customer-focused. Proper onboarding is essential
Managing – Customer service is not a sprint but a marathon. Additionally, the world is constantly changing, and customer expectations are evolving, making appropriate management essential

Assess and improve the plan

It’s crucial to regularly evaluate and enhance your marketing strategy to maintain customer-focused workplace culture. These tactics you can employ:

Gather and analyze customer data regularly to better understand their requirements and preferences. This includes information on consumer demographics, behavior, and feedback
Track industry trends and shifts in consumer requirements and preferences to ensure your marketing strategy is current and effective
Experiment with and test various marketing strategies to determine the most effective ones. A/B testing can compare how different strategies work and make decisions based on data
Ask for customer feedback – Ask for it often and use it to improve the customer experience and your marketing strategy

Your business can stay focused on what customers want and need if you regularly review and change your marketing strategy.

Why Focus on the Customer Will Be More Important in the Future

You already know the solution if you have read the article up to this point. Because the internet is bringing production and sales closer, customer obsession will become more critical. People can readily check how much a product or service costs, how much time and effort goes into making them, and whether the corporation respects its customers!

With a keyboard click, everything is made clear. And you know what? Businesses will get more customers if they offer the best solutions, high-quality goods and services, easy customer journeys, and low prices.

CO will also be more important as e-commerce becomes more popular. Today, both new businesses and respected, huge organizations sell online. In the coming decades, the competition is only going to heat up.

Customers now have a ton more options than ever, thanks to this! They can quickly look at different online stores and decide which one to buy from. Focusing on the customer gives you a better chance of beating the competition and winning in the long run.

Conclusion

The critical takeaway from this story is that if you provide high-quality goods or services and show your customers that you care about them deeply, you will be rewarded in the long run. Keep your attention directed toward the goal you want and the jobs to be done; the money will come in due time.

What is Customer Obsession: Examples and Strategies