A discussion about sales, sales tips and advice, and about those who land the deal

In the small suburb I live in, we have three or four gas stations to choose from.  I've chosen my favorite.

It's not the price per gallon.  They're all about the same when it comes to price.  All of them have about the same type of store inside, and all of them are equally convenient to drive to.

So, what does this one gas station have that the others don't?...

They have window washing fluid.  You know, the kind in the little black container on the side of a trash can next to the pump? 

The station I go to always has fresh fluid and a clean squeegee.  And its this seemingly unimportant, minor detail that has me buying gas at their gas station.  Because they pay attention to detail, and the others don't, they get over $1000 of my money every year.

Gas stations have all become pretty much the same.  If you're a gas station owner, what can you do to stand out and win over customers?  Pay attention to details.  The little things that will set you apart from the competition.

As a salesperson, you may work in an industry that has a lot of compeition and, from your customer's perspective, may not offer a lot of variation or choice from company to company (cell phone providers come to mind...department stores...actually, just about any competitive industry that exists).  So, what are you doing to stand out and win over customers?  Are you paying attention to the details?  The little things that will set you apart from the competition?

From my point of view as a customer, it's usually the little things that end up making the sale with me.  As Seth Godin points out in his recent post, it's easier than ever to stop using one provider and start using the competition.  I agree...take customer service seriously, and make sure you're doing the little things that keep them your customer.