Sometimes the simple solutions are best

As a hobby photographer, I love traipsing around the world with my camera. But it took me 3 years to find the simplest solution for a common problem: my disappearing lens cap. The cycle was always the same:

Plan trip
Take camera
Lose lens cap
Be paranoid rest of trip
Order new lens cap

And then, a few years ago something changed and I found a solution. The best part? It was free.

After a trip in 2011 I ordered yet another lens cap and this one came with a string… a little black string that attached from the lens cap to the lens and has survived all this time.

Do you ever find yourself looking too long and hard for the solution and discover it could be as easy as a little piece of string? Searching for the perfect software for your problem and realize you already own it?

Here’s the thing I really love, this company that included that little string knew what I didn’t: that it’s really easy to lose a lens cap that isn’t attached to the camera! They thought through my problem and provided a solution. They gave me a system that works. I love this because they gave me something to help my life, even if it hurt their profits. Because I would have certainly continued to lose my lens cap and return to buy more every few months.

But that’s not how you gain loyalty. Providing solutions for your clients and giving them proven systems may mean you get hired less frequently. However, you’ll increase client satisfaction and probably referrals and testimonials.

Sometimes we overlook the most simple solutions because we’re trying to outdo all the others in the field. It’s something I’ve studied and thought about a lot in the launch of the She’s Got Systems Academy. While some programs are intent on teaching the 39 ways to market your business, we focus on “how do you blog regularly?”

A lot of times we overlook the very simple question like “how do I stop losing my lens cap” and try to address all the problems in the world. Ask yourself today what is the basic, simple question that your clients bring. Are you solving it in a clear, concise manner, or leading them down the rabbit hole.

I like to think of this like calling AT&T, a business I truly hate to call. The conversation goes like this:

“I need to line test my connection.”
“Would you like to upgrade to UVerse Premium Special Glittery Fantasico?”
“I need to line test my connection.”
“If you’d like to speak to a technician in Spanish, press 2 now”
“I need to line test my connection.”
“To pay your bill online, press 7, then 5, then wait and press 11, then star.”
“I need to line test my connection.”
“If you’re having trouble getting online go to www.att.net for help.”
“I need to line test my connection.”
(live human) “hi, what seems to be the problem today?”
“I need to line test my connection.”
“Well, it looks like your bill will be auto deducted in 7 days in the amount of-”
“I need to line test my connection.”
“Sure, oh you’re a residential account and it’s after 2:45 so I’m going to transfer you now.”
Dial-tone

As my blood pressure rises just recounting that conversation I have to wonder, when did upsells become more important than addressing the need of the client?

How often do we over complicate the situation when a single answer will not only save time but gain our client’s appreciation as well?

The more concise, simplified, direct solutions you can provide for your clients, the more you’ll gain their trust and business.