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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Hug Your Customers summary
Jack Mitchell
STILL the Proven Way to Personalize Sales and Achieve Astounding Results
13 mins
Brief summary
Hug Your Customers by Jack Mitchell offers a customer-centric approach to business by sharing real-life examples of how exceptional customer service and personalized attention can create loyal customers who act as your brand advocates.
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Hug Your Customers
Summary of 6 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 6
Build a hugging culture by finding out exactly what your customers want.
No matter what business you’re in, there’s one maxim that universally holds true: if you want to succeed, keep your customers happy.
That’s easier said than done, however. How do you keep them happy? The best way is to develop a hugging culture.
Maintaining a hugging culture means giving the customers anything they want, and that means you have to find out what they want first.
The author implements this strategy in his own chain of clothing stores, Mitchell’s. Mitchell’s employees call their customers by their first names and commit to building lasting relationships with them – the best way to find out what they truly want and need.
When a Mitchell’s employee offers a customer help, they don’t just say, “May I help you?” Instead, they ask something more personalized, like “What occasion is this outfit for?” or “Is this for business or pleasure?” Asking more specific questions allows them to get a deeper understanding of what the customer is looking for.
Getting to know the customers in a deeper way also allows the employees to build relationships with them over time, so they get an even better feel for their individual preferences.
When you go the extra mile for your customers like this, it really pays off. Happy customers will help you expand to new locations, forgive you if you make any mistakes and even invite you into their homes.
At Mitchell’s, employees once fixed the button on a woman’s jacket even though she hadn’t bought the jacket from them. That woman turned out to be Robin Gerstner, the wife of Lou Gerstner, the former CEO of IBM. The Gerstners were so impressed by Mitchell’s service that they invited the author to come to the US Open finals with them, where they promoted his company as “the best clothing store in the world.”
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What is Hug Your Customers about?
Hug Your Customers (2003) is based on the author’s five decades of experience in crafting the perfect customer-centered business. “Hugging” your customers is about catering to their every need and organizing your entire company around them. Establishing a hugging culture is the most effective way to achieve financial success and keep your customers happy.
Hug Your Customers Review
Hug Your Customers (2003) by Jack Mitchell is a book that offers a refreshing perspective on customer service and building lasting relationships. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Through concrete examples and relatable stories, it illustrates how exceptional customer service can differentiate a business and create loyal customers.
- The book emphasizes the importance of authenticity and personal connection in customer interactions, providing practical strategies for implementing these principles.
- With its down-to-earth tone and insights from Jack Mitchell's own retail experience, the book keeps readers engaged and enthused about improving their customer service practices.
Best quote from Hug Your Customers
Top customers to the authors store were rewarded with an unforgettable dinner with Carl Bernstein, the journalist who broke the Watergate story.
—Jack Mitchell
Who should read Hug Your Customers?
- Managers and business owners
- Anyone studying marketing or economics
- Freelancers who want more work
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Book summaries like Hug Your Customers
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Hug Your Customers FAQs
What is the main message of Hug Your Customers?
Hug Your Customers emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with customers to create loyalty and drive business growth.
How long does it take to read Hug Your Customers?
The reading time for Hug Your Customers varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in approximately 15 minutes.
Is Hug Your Customers a good book? Is it worth reading?
Hug Your Customers is a must-read for anyone looking to enhance their customer service skills. It provides practical insights and strategies to deliver exceptional customer experiences.
Who is the author of Hug Your Customers?
The author of Hug Your Customers is Jack Mitchell.
What to read after Hug Your Customers?
If you're wondering what to read next after Hug Your Customers, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Customer Service Revolution by John R. DiJulius III
- Never Lose A Customer Again by Joey Coleman
- Team by David Allen
- 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do by Amy Morin
- Hook Point by Brendan Kane
- The Art of the Tale by Steven James
- Cold Calling Sucks (And That's Why It Works) by Nick Cegelski
- Discipline Is Destiny by Ryan Holiday
- Every Job Is a Sales Job by Cindy McGovern
- Atomic Habits by James Clear