You’ve probably said that the customer is always right, or the customer comes first more times than you can count. Every business owner says these things.

However, do you actually focus on these statements in your business strategy?

Honestly, probably not. Most businesses are focused on what they need rather than what their customers need. 

This includes reduced costs and more sales. 

The thing is that you cannot truly improve your bottom line as much as you’d like if you don’t focus on your customers.

Luckily, you aren’t the only company making this mistake. Many of your competitors are as well. Their digital marketing strategy likely doesn’t contain a forward-thinking approach to the needs of customers.

So, what does this mean for you?

It means you have the chance to get ahead by doing better when it comes to making your customers a priority. The key to all of this is customer orientation, the focus of this blog post.

Customer Orientation Examples

There are plenty of companies that have already implemented the customer orientation approach into their business. 

Here is a look at a few of the most successful ones who put their customers first in their business model in case you need some inspiration for your own journey.

#1: Apple

Apple is a company that completely understands the needs of customers and builds specifically for them.

Let’s consider the iPod. While there were other similar products available at the time (standard MP3 players), they could only hold a certain number of songs, such as 30 to 40. 

Of course, this was fine with most people who were used to a Walkman.

The first iPod was able to hold 1,000 songs. It was out there, but it was exactly what customers wanted, even though they didn’t realize it. But Apple knew.

To be customer-oriented, you not only need to focus on the needs of your customers, but you also must anticipate those needs before they realize they have them.

Funny enough, sometimes those “needs” aren’t even obvious until someone points them out. Think about when the App Store was first introduced—people weren’t exactly clamoring for mobile apps because they didn’t really know what was possible. In hindsight, Apple met an invisible demand and, in doing so, changed literally how most of us interact with technology today.

#2: Harley Davidson

This is probably a company you expected to see here, but Harley Davidson knows how to get the job done when it comes to prioritizing customers.

It all starts within the job interview process. 

Anyone hoping to become a Harley Davidson employee must be able to prove they have the knowledge of Harley Davidson in general as well as how bikes work.

The company only wants to hire people who are familiar with the products they sell, as these individuals will be most likely to be able to connect and emphasize with current and prospective customers. 

This creates a memorable and rewarding experience for customers.

It’s a subtle difference, but when a sales rep genuinely loves the brand, it seeps into every interaction. Customers can spot forced enthusiasm a mile away, especially in communities built around something as personal as motorcycles. That vibe of authenticity, that sense people “get it,” is part of why Harley Davidson is more of a movement than just a company trying to move units.

#3: Amazon

One thing that sets Amazon apart from its competition is its ability to personalize the experience of each customer. 

For example, the product recommendations section of the website utilizes advanced technology to identify customer browsing data based on previous purchases and searches. 

This lets customers feel like Amazon knows what they need before they need it.

Wrap Up: Are You Ready to Take the Customer-Oriented Approach to Business?

Don’t assume that you must go through a complete restructuring of your company in order to become customer-oriented. 

All you need to do is make a few minor changes here and there so that you and your team are putting customer needs first, above all else.

Although it most certainly will take time and effort to switch to a customer-oriented approach, you can build levels of trust with your customers that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible. 

In the end, the more you care about your customers, the more your business will grow.

If you want to really take your business to the next level, check out the Rock Content Magazine featuring everything you need to know about data-driven marketing.

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