Scary Questions?

What are the right questions to ask your customers? Scott Messer says it is key for small businesses to ask the hard questions to their customers. Most people tend to avoid asking hard questions, but it is a must to really know what the customers are thinking. Messer says that asking the scary questions helps entrepreneurs develop lasting, personal relationships with their customers that ultimately improve sales. Sometimes people are nervous to ask questions, because of the chance that they will not get the answer they want. Some questions that Messer says needs to be asked are “If you were giving us a report card, what grade would we get?”, “If we lose your business in 2010, why would that happen, other than price?” Also, a problem with asking hard questions is getting people to be completely honest with you. The business owner needs to say that even if I may not like your answer I want you to be completely honest with me. Both parties in conversation need to realize that being completely honest well help out each other in the long run.

Communication is how businesses coordinate actions and achieve goals. Our textbook stats that communication is vital to an organizations success, which I agree 100 percent. Just like the article stats, if business owners are not able to get the right and honest information then they will be in trouble. Poor communication costs money and wastes time. A study from the textbook found that 14 percent of each workweek is wasted on poor communication. To me I think this problem is not too hard to fix. The more people talk and discuss ideas the more success a business will have. Also, it is just not enough just to communicate, but need to communicate effectively. This means asking the right questions and getting the right answers.

Have you ever avoided asking a hard or scary question, because you were scared of what the answer maybe? Also, why do you think businesses have so many problems with the communication process?

Article:http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/dec2009/sb20091210_589383.htm

Team 3
Jeff Blankenship