They say changing the scenery is the best way to get a fresh perspective on life. Travel opens our eyes to new ideas and new ways of doing things … and even gives us a little nudge out of complacency. A friend recently went to the US and we chatted about three common practices she saw that I’d love to see Australian businesses adopt. These 3 US business trends are small, simple and surprisingly easy to implement, but do everything to create a memorable customer experience, the kind that gets people to come back… and recommend their friends.
3 USA Business Trends to Apply to Your Business
1. Open later, close later
Many bricks and mortar businesses of all types and sizes — from small businesses to chain stores to even Smithsonian museums — match their opening hours to peak shopping patterns, which are typically 10am to 8pm. In many parts of the US, there’s no point even thinking about shopping or doing business before 11am … because nothing is open. While change is slowly happening, Australian business owners cling to opening between 8am and 9am. However, only 2.1% of shoppers on weekdays and 3.4% on weekends are out and about at this time, according to Simmons Market Research Bureau. Whereas 26.6% of shoppers on weekdays and a massive 42.4% on weekends are actively buying between 10am and 8pm. Significantly, almost double the number of potential customers are actively seeking to buy on weekends, which makes opening at least on Sunday afternoons (and closing on a quiet day of the week), an enticing option. So what do American business owners and workers do in those extra two or three hours before opening or that day off? Exercise. Apparently tThe number of people running, walking the dog or at the gym in the morning is very noticeable!
2. Get dog friendly
Those of us who work from home have long known the benefits of having our pets close by. Regular readers of my blog posts know Ted, a cheeky tan and white Jack Russell, is usually snoozing in a basket at my feet. Numerous US businesses are dog friendly, including offices, speciality stores, hotels, tourist destinations and restaurants with outdoor eating areas. Especially in upscale areas, you’ll see a sticker of a dog on the front door or a big bowl of fresh water on the pavement. Studies show dogs in the workplace are good for both employees and customers — they make people feel relaxed and happy, break down communication barriers and increase productivity. I’m sure this applies to cats too, although a resident cat is far better than casual visits for obvious reasons (cats don’t settle well in new or temporary surroundings). My friend told me about old tabby sitting on the steps of architectural salvage store in San Diego. Naturally, she scratched the cat’s rather moth-eaten ears before perusing the wares. A couple walked up the steps behind her. Guess what they did? Yep, they gave those little ears a good rub too … now that’s one clever cat and a business owner who knows every customer who comes in will leave with a smile and a fond memory!
3. Use plants to create a breath-taking entrance
Australian businesses are familiar with potted plants or vases of flowers at work, but their US counterparts know how to create displays to make a peacock jealous! The trend is to place a giant, symmetrical container garden on the pavement on either side of the front door and use mixed plantings of flowers and greenery to create a welcome that is at once bright and energetic, yet also elegant and … simply breath-taking. And you don’t have to be a green thumb or hire an expert gardener to get the same “wow” factor. The key is to use good quality potting mix and choose three or five (an odd number looks best) varieties of hardy plants, such as: canna lilies, geranium, nasturtium, petunia, begonia, ivy, impatiens, flax or dwarf conifers. As you know, I love using scientific evidence and survey results to back up my suggestions. The experts tell us plants also:
- Increase productivity
- Improve concentration
- Boost learning
- Inhibit aggression
- Promote physical and psychological wellbeing
- Remove air toxins and bacteria.
