A successful sales manager in the jewelry-importing industry, William F. Waliga understands the importance of superior customer care. With more than two decades of experience in honing such skills, William F. Waliga offers the following advice to provide and sustain meaningful business-client relationships.
1. Superior client care results in a positive attitude. Regardless of how great the product or service may be, a poor attitude reflects badly on any company. All it takes is one negative experience for a customer to never return, so ensure that each interaction is positive.
2. Help each customer to feel special and appreciated, rather than seeing the individual as a dollar sign or “just another” client. By practicing sincerity and listening to what your customers are saying, you allow them to feel valued.
3. Don’t be afraid to say “no.” Never allow broken promises or misplaced expectations to undermine client relationships. If a task or request is beyond your capabilities, let them know why you are not able to help them and work to find possible solutions.
4. Go the extra mile. Today, customers remain extremely savvy and often fickle, so give them a reason to stay loyal by offering extra care. You can accomplish this simply through the addition of small perks and special client attention.
5. Companies that treat their employees well often find that their customers are better served as a result. Stay in tune with employees’ needs in order to ensure their satisfaction, leading to excellent customer service.
[Picture By Asidemore (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons]
by William F. Waliga
A rhinestone consists of a piece of glass, crystal, or synthetic material that simulates the appearance of a diamond or other precious stone. Rhinestones received their name from the Rhine River, as they were historically gathered along the banks of the Austrian Rhine.
By the late 18th century, the natural supply of rhinestones grew scarce, and jewelers sought new sources. In 1775, a French jeweler named George Friedrich Stras developed the first artificial rhinestone by applying metal powder to the back of a piece of glass, earning him instant fame. His technique remains in use today.
Approximately 100 years after Stras’ development, Czech glass-cutter Daniel Swarovski developed a method to shape glass so it would reflect light in a pattern similar to that of a diamond. He also invented an electric glass-cutting machine. Swarovski’s automated technique and unique cutting patterns immediately increased the popularity of rhinestones. Consumers have subsequently employed rhinestones for everything from costumes to wedding outfits, and the gems reached their peak of modern popularity in the 1950s.
Today, rhinestones continue to be manufactured primarily in Austria and the Czech Republic, although plastic-based rhinestones are made all over the world. To maintain rhinestones’ appearance, avoid rubbing them against hard surfaces, which lead to scratches and ruin their sparkling effect. Clean rhinestones using isopropyl rubbing alcohol.
About William F. Waliga: For more than 20 years, William F. Waliga has managed sales at Waliga Imports & Sales Inc., bringing in rhinestones and other jewelry items from around the world.
