
Innovative Thinking
|Apr 7th 2025
19 min read
Why Following the Standard Isn’t Enough – Beyond the Standard
Just following the standard keeps you average. The best companies challenge norms, innovate, and go beyond the standard.
Written by: Karl Evans
CEO
Customer support isn’t flashy, it’s not sexy, and it’s rarely top of mind. But here’s the secret: support is the best-kept weapon for any brand. Seriously. Ignore it, and you’ve got a one-way ticket to “sell and forget.” Get it right, though, and you’ll turn customers into lifelong fans.
The Importance of Customer Support – and why companies that don’t get it are just missing the point.
If a company doesn’t care about support, what they’re saying is, “We don’t really care about you – just buy, leave us a nice review, and move on.” But life isn’t perfect. Products aren’t either. A well-oiled support team is your safety net. It’s there to catch your customers when things go off the rails, saving your brand’s reputation in the process.
Here’s a laughable truth: companies spend a fortune wooing new customers but can’t keep the ones they’ve got. If they invested half as much in keeping their current customers happy, they’d see the power of support firsthand. It’s cheaper, smarter, and comes with a bonus – customers who stick around actually tell their friends. You know, like a free marketing team.
Let’s face it, a single bad experience can tank a brand. You could be the hero with the best product in the market, but if you leave your customers stranded, the story flips. And no, a chatbot isn’t the answer when someone is frustrated. (Who thought it was a good idea to make people yell at robots, anyway?)
In crowded industries – think broadband or mobile providers, where everyone’s offering the same stuff, support is what sets you apart. It’s the difference between “meh, they’re fine” and “I’m never leaving this brand.” When a company actually cares, they shoot to the top of the list for new customers.
Here’s the kicker: people want to talk about good experiences. They’re ready to tell the world about the company that fixed their problem, understood their frustration, and made it right. But give them a generic, soulless experience? Forget it. They’re gone, and they’re not talking. So make them feel valued, show them you care, and watch as they become your biggest promoters.
Look, things go wrong. It happens. But if you’re open and own up to it, you’re halfway to winning over your customer. Admit when you mess up, fix it fast, and people will remember that honesty. It’s a rare thing in business, and it leaves an impression.
Customers want a quick fix, but they also want to feel like someone cares. Rushing through an issue without understanding the person on the other side won’t cut it. Support is about finding that sweet spot, balance speed with quality, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for loyal customers.
Support may not be the “cool” thing to talk about, but it’s what makes or breaks a brand. It’s the quiet hero behind every loyal customer, every positive review, and every story of “this brand really gets me.” So, next time someone wonders why support matters, tell them this: Customers are everything – don’t piss them off.
Wondering why support matters? It’s the difference between “meh” and “wow.” Great support keeps customers happy, loyal, and ready to spread the word. If your brand wants lifelong fans, start with support that actually cares.