Getting to know the competition...

In keeping my promise to "re-paint" this Blog's purpose in helping our business, I am getting to know the competition.

I have searched websites, I have read contractual terms and rate quotes for other merchant credit card processors. I understand the competition in industry language. What I really want, however, is to get to know the competition through your eyes.

This isn't a marketing ploy. You won't be inundated with emails or phone calls or direct marketing letters telling you that our products are better (even if they are). I just genuinely want to know what it is about your merchant credit card processor, customer loyalty provider or ATM service company that makes them most valuable to you. You can even comment anonymously- in fact, I encourage that approach.

You see, I don't believe that companies get better by picking up someone else's disgruntled customers. Companies get better by admiring what others do well, and looking for ways to take it to the next level.

So tell me, who do you use for Merchant Credit Card Processing, and why? Do you have a customer loyalty program? If so, what makes it work for you? Does your business have an ATM? Tell me how it has helped you.

Today's photo credit goes to the talented Jim Rogash for Getty Images, and this blog entry is dedicated to the incomparable Tedy Bruschi, who always knows his competition. Thanks for the memories, Tedy, best of luck to you, Heidi, and the boys!

Want to talk about football? I do! Reach me here @AmySwipeRite

Loyalty isn't just for dogs

Loyalty. We use this word freely when we discuss concepts like love and marriage. We show loyalty to our "home teams," and to our employers. We boast about how loyal our dogs are to our family. But how does loyalty affect the way we shop or do business?

My car battery died recently. My neighbor helped get the car "jump-started," and when I mentioned that it was probably just time for a new battery altogether, he suggested a mechanic around the corner. He made it abundantly clear that this mechanic was not the cheapest or the fastest in town, "but he always gives it to you straight, and when he fixes something, you can bet it's fixed," my neighbor added. This mechanic created a loyal customer in my neighbor through the most uncanny method-- by building trust.

My guess is that these trust relationships are what fosters customer loyalty in most people. I shop at Hy-Vee for groceries because I know their meat is top quality, their produce is always fresh, and they allow me to "drive up" for my groceries (especially great when I have the kids in tow). I have another friend who only wears Nike Brand shoes, after an unfortunate incident with a pair of Adidas sneakers more than 20 years ago...whe she was 8 years old.

In this volatile economic sea, small businesses are relying on loyalty more than ever, just to stay afloat. As an industry trendsetter in customer loyalty programs, Swipe-Rite and SaveSome Solutions can help your business develop a "smart" loyalty program that will help attract and retain customers now, and evolve to meet your customer needs as your business grows.

We believe that creating trustworthy relationships with your customer base is the best way to ensure the strength of your business. Why? Because we have seen it work by applying the principal of "trust" to our own business.

How is your business fostering trust and loyalty? Tell me: @AmySwipeRite

Let us show you how we can help your business today (877) 465-8033