Changing to Meet Customer’s Changing Needs

Posted by Deborah Chaddock Brown on May 26, 2009 under Customer Moments | Read the First Comment

I recently attended a meeting at The Woman’s City Club in Akron, Ohio.  The Woman’s City Club is a private facility housed in a historic home in downtown Akron that features a series of lovely rooms for meetings and events and a quaint dining room where a tasty lunch buffet is served. 

In the past you had to be a member or be the guest of a member to dine or host/attend a function in this lovely old home.  They have two types of memberships – a full membership and a dining membership. 

However, during this recent event one of the servers interrupted our meal to share NEW news.

“We are now open Tuesday evenings to the general public and Sunday’s for brunch.  You don’t have to be a member to join us.”

She went on to share the details of each event but I stopped listening.  I was immediately struck with the thought – here is a business that has looked in the mirror  and decided to make a change to meet the changing needs of their potential customers.  The slow economy has certainly affected their new memberships and many with existing memberships may not be renewing.  The Woman’s City Club, in an effort to continue to be a viable solution for meals and meetings, has found a way to effectively reach their target prospects.

Impressive!

What have you done in your business to modify services or products to respond to the economic crunch?  Have you looked in the mirror and asked yourself “what should I change or add to respond to my consumers changing needs?”

Isn’t it about time you did?