Ask your customers how they feel about your services and products.

Saturday night I had dinner at Sala Thai restaurant. The waitstaff asked us how we were, if our meal was satisfactory and if we needed anything else. This is status quo at all good restaurants, but it is part of your business practices? It should be.

Gorham Savings Bank sends a short (this is key) survey to everyone who opens a new account. You should too. You have a new customer and you want to keep that person as a customer. Why not find what first impression you left on that customer?

Amazon.com and eBay allow you to leave feedback on every transaction. Potential customers take notice of the ratings.

Send a postcard, or do an online survey. Keep it short for the best response rate and throw in an incentive like a promotional product or coupon as a thank you for the feedback.

A restaurant where I worked while in high school has this sign on the door,” If you liked out service tell others, if not please tell us." Give people an easy way to tell you where you need to improve before they tell others negative things about you.

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