The Cost of Bagels and Relationships

An old guy in my neighborhood went to the same deli every morning and ordered a bagel and a cup of coffee and he sat there with a bunch of other old guys who were there every morning at the same time.

The restaurant was taken over by new owners who raised the prices and he was pretty upset by this. He was used to paying the same thing for that bagel and cup of coffee every day and he said he wasn’t going to pay the increase.

He wanted to be charged the exact same amount as he was before.

The server who had taken care of him for years continued to honor the old price.

Clearly, the restaurant was weighing the cost of the items that he was eating every morning versus the cost of hurting that relationship with this valued long-time customer.

The reason I bring this up is that in life, in general, we are always weighing the costs of being involved with  people near and dear to us or perhaps not, and making that decision about whether or not the cost of a relationship is higher than what the relationship is worth to us, is very relevant. Knowing the difference between when it is and when it isn’t, can make all the difference in the world.

In business, prioritizing relationships over pricing can help promote long-term, solid relationships with your clients. One effective way to nurture these relationships is by actively listening to your customers. Take the time to understand their needs, preferences, and concerns. By soliciting feedback and genuinely engaging with your customers, you demonstrate that their opinions matter and that you value their input. This not only strengthens the bond between you and your customers but also provides valuable insights that can help you improve your products or services.

Another important aspect of fostering strong relationships with customers is by providing exceptional customer service. Show your customers that you genuinely care about their experience by going above and beyond to address their needs and resolve any issues promptly. Whether it’s responding to inquiries in a timely manner, offering personalized recommendations, or implementing a hassle-free returns policy, prioritizing customer satisfaction can set you apart from competitors and leave a lasting impression on your customers.