Business owners constantly ask how they can make their customers not only buy their product, but stick around as loyal repeat-customers. This is a challenging concept, and has grown a large industry dedicated to helping businesses achieve this funnel-like business system. However, while it can be done with a professional marketing expert, it can also be achieved through a process of creating consistency within your products and your operations.
Consistency starts and ends with every aspect of your business. Building a brand is one of these components, and it is crucial to familiarizing your target market with what your company provides for them. Building a brand is all about consistency, and giving your consumers something to recognize as they drive down the street and pass your place of business. Once this is established, not only will your brand stick with them, but your products and services will too, giving you the advantage needed to create loyal customers. Offering consistent services is another important part of making a customer a repeat customer. Products that don’t meet the mark or services that are polarized in its quality can mess with the image of a company, and make your customers a one-time shopper for good. Focus on creating elements of your business that develop quality and make buyers stick. Russell Sergent is a serial entrepreneur that used this device in his first business, Pro-Source Distributors. Taking advantage of his 24-hour turnaround time, he captured the market with his fast service, branding himself as a consistent bringer of janitorial and chemical cleaning supplies. The World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) has created something truly demanding in terms of athletic prowess. The ironman marathon was created to give the world’s elite athletes a test of their strength and durability, beckoning those from all over the world to compete in what soon grew to become the Ironman World Championship. This competition has been held in Hawaii since 1978, bringing about the toughest and strongest triathlon runners in the world to compete in one of the hardest races ever created.
The intense requirements of this race leaves most people unable to even finish, let alone place. The 17-hour time limit pushes people to the limit, giving them only a certain amount of time for each part of the race. Starting at 7:00 AM, athletes perform a 2.5 mile swim that filters out most of the rookies from the elite, having a cut-off time of 2 hours and 20 minutes. From there, triathletes leave the waters and hop onto a racing bike, which they are then given until the 8 hour and 10 minute mark to complete. This part of the course is the most extensive, and leaves many people too tired to continue on the last leg. The cut-off for the last part of the race, the marathon, is at midnight. This all day challenge leaves most people gasping for air by the time that they finish. Russell Sergent, a 4-time completer of the Ironman Triathlon, has done these challenges since 2007, and has managed to keep his times under 12.5 hours for every attempt. “This race is unlike normal triathlons,” Russell says, “athletes have to spend a large portion of their year preparing for the intensity that this race requires to finish.” The key to success in most business ventures is offering top-notch customer service. Appreciating the customer both before and after the sale is key to bringing repeat business and will go a long way in cementing the reputation of a company. Following are several tips for providing excellent customer service:
Be a better listener than talker When you listen to the concerns of a customer, you have a better ability to help them with what they need from your business. Whether the customer has a problem with a product or has a special request from your business, understanding their needs can streamline delivery of products and services. Deliver Knowledge Part of providing great customer service is providing great information. Being able to relay information about a companies products or services with confidence and accuracy adds great value for the customer. Offer Friendly and Engaging Service It may seem like a no-brainer, but conducting business in a friendly and engaging manner is a key to successful. Establishing rapport and trust with customers is a crucial component in building and growing business relationships. Quickly Respond to the needs of the Customer Offering a quick turn around in any business makes the customer feel important and appreciated. Whether this involves ordering a special product, quickly scheduling a service or even quickly preparing food in a restaurant situation--the customer will notice. Russell Sergent owns and operates three successful businesses in Rockland, IL--Pro Source Distributors, Inc., Pro-Source Xtreme Parts and Accessories and a local Quiznos franchise. One of Sergent’s secrets for growth and success has been the top-notch customer service he has always brought to his clients. Competing in a triathlon is an exhilarating experience that sports enthusiasts hold as a badge of honor. Many athletes are hooked once they get the taste of competition and accomplishment gained as part of a triathlon. Becoming a Triathlon coach is one way to share the excitement of the sport with others and to help lead them through the training involved in getting through your first competition. USA Triathlon offers a coaching certification program for those with aspirations to become a triathlon coach. The program is designed to educate coaches in the best training techniques available to train athletes on the multiple components of triathlon competition. The fundamental skills of swimming, cycling and running are taught by the renowned USA Triathlon coaches running the program. Those who become Certified Level 1 Triathlon Coaches in the program learn how to create training programs and workouts that are specialized for each athlete they train. Mental preparation and nutrition are also vital components of the program, and coaches are trained extensively in these areas during the program. To qualify for the Level 1 Coach Program certification, candidates much be a current USA Triathlon Member, have a CPR or AED certification, pass an online examination and background check, and submit a USOC Ethics Code Agreement. Once accepted to the program, candidates attend a two-day training clinic. Russell Sergent has always had a passion for physical fitness and running. In 2008, he competed in his first IronMan triathlon. Since then, he has competed in four more Ironman triathlons, finishing each in under 12.5 hours. In 2010, he became a Certified Level 1 Triathlon Coach. Russell Sergent, a participating member of TriWisconsin for over three years in the Greater Milwaukee Area, will tell you that this organization is an exceptional group. Here, active people interested in participating in triathlons or duathlons can find numerous workouts that will fit any schedule, a robust network of like-minded athletes, and affordable club dues, all of which Russell Sergent has enjoyed to their full potential. Participating members can expect additional opportunities with their membership that include discounts from sponsors at local shops, sponsor open houses, discounts at various local races, a membership card, organized team social events, and more.
The beauty of TriWisconsin is that it’s truly an organization intended for everyone, from someone who is putting on their first pair of running shoes to the most accomplished marathoners and triathletes. A more detailed list of perks, team information, and activities schedule can be found at their website or http://www.triwisconsin.org/. As a knowledgeable and experienced runner and triathlon participant, Russell Sergent knows the value of having allies when you’re participating in a large sporting event. TriWisconsin pays special attention to providing an environment where everyone involved feels motivated, empowered, and important. Though wearing team uniforms is not mandated at events, a sense of camaraderie shines through as you lace up your shoes together, push yourselves to the furthest limit together, and celebrate together afterward, in unison. Russell Sergent greatly enjoys teaming up and working with other athletes so that each will attain their highest athletic goals and dreams, and TriWisconsin is one of many wonderful organizations that are working to do just that. As a thrilled member of the USA Triathlon, Russell Sergent is always looking for new and exciting opportunities to inspire the lives of passionate triathletes. Russell Sergent believes that all athletes and beyond have the ability to enrich their lives by pushing their perceptions of their physical limits to that next level. The USAT, the farthest-reaching multisport organization in the world, is responsible for overseeing the divisions of triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon, and the winter triathlon in the United States. The USAT is based out of Colorado Springs and boasts a membership of over 500,000 members. By serving as a Certified Level 1 Triathlon Coach, Russell Sergent can provide guided support, instruction, and wisdom to aspiring triathlon participants. As an incredibly knowledgeable runner, seasoned triathlete, and a business owner of Fleet Feet Sports, a leading athletic footwear company in Brookfield, Wisconsin, Russell Sergent wishes to serve both as a resource and mentor to those he works and trains with. Russell knows that the benefits of serving as a USAT coach are life changing, some of which include unbeatable networking opportunities, discounts on various products and services, mentoring opportunities for both athletes and coaches, and discounts on continuing education opportunities, among others. Russell carries his coaching responsibilities both with grace and ambition. Russell Sergent commits himself to the cause and serves as a passionate advocate for the USAT. He is originally from Rockford, Illinois, and owns several successful companies in both Illinois and Wisconsin, including Pro-Source Distributors, Inc., Pro-Source Xtreme, and Quizno’s. As successful business owner and entrepreneur Russell Sergent knows, the customer should the first and primary focus of any business operation; particularly if one is looking to achieve any sort of long-term competitiveness, profitability or sustainability. Sergent, who owns and operates three successful companies, has maintained a customer-first attitude and philosophy from the opening of his very first business, and continues to take that same responsive and focused approach through every transaction, and with every client he serves. Russell Sergent built Pro-Source Distributors, Inc., a cleaning, paper and janitorial supply company, on the premise that every client would get the best products and prompt customer service each and every time. Rusty Sergent employs that same philosophy with Pro-Source Xtreme, a Northern Illinois firm that provides top-quality snowmobile apparel and accessories to snowmobilers throughout the region. Everything in business operation, from the top down, begins and ends with the customer, and Sergent understands that customer loyalty and business success would be impossible without that ever-so-integral client first approach. Customer service is just as important, if not more important, within the food service industry, which is why Russell Sergent places such a strong emphasis on that idea at his Rockford-based Quizno’s location. His goal is to not only provide his Quizno’s customers a great meal, but to also deliver the best-quality food in the friendliest and most comfortable atmosphere possible, something he has been able to consistently achieve since 2000. Sergent currently handles the day-to-day operations of all three companies, and to provide great customer service at every available opportunity. As the owner and founder of Pro-Source Xtreme, Northern Illinois’s best source of snowmobiling gear and accessories, Russell Sergent understands the importance of preparing yourself with the proper apparel and gear before setting out on your next snowmobiling adventure. A snowmobiling enthusiast himself, Sergent understands how the right gear can make all the difference, as well as the key to a rewarding and memorable snowmobiling journey. Below, Russell Sergent seeks to provide what he believes to be the basics or proper snowmobile clothing, gear and accessories. Suits and Under Layers Under layers are crucial to staying warm, comfortable and safe during any snowmobile excursion. Such under layers as suitable long underwear, preferably not made of cotton, are essential to rider warmth, as well as to staying dry during your trip. It’s also important, says Sergent, to have an appropriate snowmobile suit, one that won’t become saturated, to cover yourself throughout the journey. Eye Protection and Headgear Riders should always take steps to protect their eyes and heads throughout the trip. Every rider, says Russell Sergent, should have an approved and comfortable helmet, as well as the appropriate eye protection (goggles, helmet visor or sunglasses), to ensure their head and eyes are covered from start to finish. Boots, Socks, Gloves Every rider, says Sergent, should have comfortable and waterproof winter boots, as well warm socks that allow their feet to “breathe” throughout the course of the trip. Gloves are always a snowmobiling necessity, the importance of which should never be taken lightly or ignored. Pro-Source Distributors was founded by innovative entrepreneur Russell Sergent over 20 years ago, and has grown to become many companies’ leading source of high-quality janitorial, chemical and paper supplies. By maintaining a focus on competitive prices, prompt service and environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies, Rusty Sergent and Pro-Source Distributors has quickly become synonymous with the best in industry value, products and service.
Pro-Source Distributors currently supplies over 500 Illinois and Wisconsin businesses with the cleaning and paper products they need to be their best, and maintains a client-first approach that has been the cornerstone of the company since 1995. Russell Sergent built Pro-Source Distributors from the ground up, cultivating strong relationships with product manufacturers in order to eliminate the middle man and pass the factory-direct savings on to each client. Russell Sergent aims to provide a great product, and a great service experience, to each client, something that has earned Pro-Source Distributors, Inc. the reputation for being a valued local industry leader. The relationships both Sergent and his team have built over the past two decades have afforded them the opportunity to make affordable cleaning supplies a reality for companies throughout the region, saving each client an amazing minimum of 20% on all products they purchase. Quality products, service and value are what clients discover when they choose Pro-Source Distributors, who seeks to treat every new and existing client as a member of the family. For prompt service and a great line of janitorial, paper and chemical supplies, turn to the experts at Pro-Source Distributors today. |
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