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Loyalty

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etharp
North Carolina, United States

In another thread there was some discussion about Loyalty, and it got me thinking, I would LOVE to hear form you all on what can be done, and what you have done, to increase loyalty. Loyalty from the employees, loyalty from customers, loyalty from dealers principals, and loyalty from manufacturers. I would also love to hear about anything that has made you decide to be loyal to any of the above.
To speak for myself, I used to work for a company that had a program to assist temporarily disabled employees, and while I never gave it a thought, when I had a motor cycle accident a few years ago, it was a true 'lifesaver' to have an income while I was disabled. it's not something I had to bargain for in my benefits package, it was just there when I really needed it. when I was considering having to sell my home, and I found out I had income to pay the rent, I truly felt indebted and decided I would sure put up with some extra grief if need be to work for a company that was so concerned for all their employees well being.

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registered linux user #167806 (http://counter.li.org/)

Modified 6 Mar 2008 07:12 AM
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ZENITH
Louisiana, United States

No secret here, treat everyone, employees, customers, manufacturers, etc... the way you would like to be treated. Honesty and integrity buys lots of Loyality.

Posted 20 May 2005 00:01 AM

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abdul_g
SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates

IN UAE WE HAVE TO RELY WHOLLY ON MIGRANT WORKERS WHO ARE FAR FROM THERE FAMILIES. WHENEVER THERE IS ANY PROBLEM(SICKNESS, DEATH CHILDREN EDUCATION) THE WORKERS GET THE MESSAGE BUT BECOME HELPLESS AS THEY ARE FAR FROM HOME. EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENS MY BROTHER (FAISAL) WHO IS WITH ME HELPING TO RUN THE COMPANY INVAIRABLY HELPS THE WORKER IN SORTING OUT THE PROBLEM. IF HE CANNOT HE GIVES THEM AIR TICKET TO GO AND ATTEND THE DOMESTIC PROBLEMS. ALSO GIVE THEM SPENDING MONEY / ADVANCE PAYMENTS. I OBSERVE THAT THE WORKERS ARE VERY LOYAL TO HIM THOUGH HE IS A VERY HARD TASKMASTER.

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Posted 20 May 2005 01:07 AM

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charlie_j
California, United States

etharp, you are soooo right about the benefits. Memorial day 2001 I broke my back in an ATV accident. Fortunately the company I was working for had short and long term disability insurance. I am still receiving benefits as I can never return to work. Like you said, if we did not have this insurance.....there goes the house.

Posted 27 May 2005 02:09 PM

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NTOLERANCE
Wisconsin, United States

When it comes to my customers, I try and treat them as I would want to be treated. Having been in their shoes as a fleet maintenance manager for a large die cast foundry, I know what its like to have to buy parts, service a fleet, purchase/lease a fleet, watch expenses, maintain a budget and review P&L statements. Customer satisfaction is worthless, customer loyalty is pricelees. Each company is different and requires different gloves to handle the situation.

I always look at it like this: Purchasing and maintaning a lift truck fleet is painful. It takes $ right off the bottom line (of course, with out the trucks, there would be a bottom line, they couldnt operate, but thats besides the point) Anyway that I can minimize that pain, will earn me customer loyalty. Is that the best outlook to have? Perhaps its not for everyone, but in the 15 years I have been in this field, I havent lost a customer due to any fault of my own. They have left based on new equipment price, or from management changes, or other reasons. It works for me. Also, I talk to the operators as if they werent merely operators, but more like friends. Shoot the bull with them, talk about whatever is happening locally, but mainly show an interest in them. You never know when an operator will be in charge of the fleet one day. Management turnover happens alot in my neck of the woods, I try to meet as many people in theorganization as I can. Make sure as many people as possible know who I am and what I do.

As far as employees, I havent been a manager in some time, and I really didnt have to alot to do with benefits and such. I can say that a previous dealer I worked for cut out short term disability insurance, reduced our health care benefits, and refused to raise wages. (blamed it on Sept. 11th) All the while we were a profitable branch. Three years with no raises and a cut in benefits equates to me a pay cut. I left in a hurry.

One thing I can say that helps me out with my co workers, and when I was a manager, was that some people need to be told they are appreciated and needed. No need to kiss butt here, but I believe that just telling some people , "Hey thanks for the good work and effort" will help out greatly. Recently, my service manager told me that it was a real pleasure having me on the team. Best compliment I have received to date. Still proper pay, benefits and treatment and essential.

Modified 27 May 2005 03:41 PM
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