Customer Focus Mindset
Customer Focus Mindset
Customer Focus Mindset
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GETTING NEW CUSTOMERS COSTS A FORTUNE. LOSING THEM CAN SEND YOU BROKE. THERE IS ONLY ONE
MEASURE OF CUSTOMER FOCUS AND THAT IS CUSTOMER LOYALTY. WHEN YOU FAIL SO DOES PROFITABILITY,
AND YOUR COMPETITORS TRIUMPH. BUT THIS NEED NOT BE SO. YOUR WHOLE ORGANIZATION, NOT JUST YOUR
‘CUSTOMER FACING DEPARTMENTS’ EXIST TO PROVIDE VALUE FOR CUSTOMERS. THIS REQUIRES COMPLETE
CUSTOMER FOCUS IMMERSION.
CEOs are convinced that their organizations must be connected (or reconnected)
with customers and keep on learning how to strengthen those connections. They
recognize that getting closer to customers will require new approaches and a new
mindset. They are more committed than ever to taking personal responsibility for
leading a stronger customer focused culture. i
WHERE DO I START?
First you need to get the facts about your current situation. For example, to begin a
To deliver value to weight loss program you start by getting on the scale and facing reality. Understand-
ing the extent of customer centricity in your organization and team is no different.
customers requires a
First measure and benchmark your customer focus on those activities within your
customer focus mindset organization that drive customer satisfaction and retention.
in which people across
Two validated tools are available for benchmarking customer focus. These are easy
the entire organization to use and understand.ii
understand their customers 1. MRI measures the behavioral heartbeat of an organization with reference to its
and act from a customer external customers, competitors, broader external environment, collaboration
perspective. and alignment. Each of these factors has a measurable impact on customer
satisfaction and business performance.
2. CRI is used to measure customer focus with reference to internal customers
relevant for back-office functions like Finance & Administration.
Both tools work well together to provide quantitative measures on the level of cus-
tomer focus and can predict where an organization is heading in terms of customer
satisfaction.
The benchmark results are all important to understand which strategy is required by
your organization to deliver the best customer value both internally and externally.
If there is weakness in all or most factors, a complete rewiring may be necessary.
More frequently, you can build on strengths and rewire just one or two factors that
are particularly weak.
HOW TO REWIRE
It comes from the top
Rewiring for a customer focus mindset into the psyche and actions of an organization
requires a dedicated effort from the top. Senior leaders are important customer focus
role models. They must be visible, relentless, passionate and committed to increasing
value delivered to each customer. They need to become heroes. Ask John Stanhope,
CFO of Australia’s Telstra and Charles Lawrence, General Manager of Franke USA.
Both have undertaken customer-centric transformations of their Monitor customer culture and customer satisfaction
organizations over the last two years with considerable success. Periodically measure the drivers of strong customer focus
In Telstra’s case, not only has the 2400 strong Finance & culture against targets and introduce initiatives to transform
Administration group become more efficient and aligned with ‘weak spots’. Continue to monitor customer feedback and sat-
its customers’ needs, but at least $16 million in annualized isfaction. Do you measure the level of your customer focus?
savings have resulted directly from the service culture initiative.iii
Study top performing organizations in customer service
At Franke, an MRI was conducted over two successive
The top performers have purposefully rewired the mindset
years. After the first MRI, strategic decisions to increase
of people at all levels to place the customer at the forefront
service levels in the call center and in the supply chain were
of thinking and action. Studying organizations like Apple,
implemented. These moves rubbed off on other functions
Zappos and Ritz-Carlton show how it is done. John and
with a substantial improvement in strategic alignment of the
Charles show what first steps can be taken to change things
business around a customer focus. One year later sales were
for the better. What best practices have you incorporated in
up 12% and the bottom line had nearly doubled. A second
your business recently?
MRI showed all customer focus factors significantly higher.iv
Are you personally modelling customer-focused behavior?