Important Things to Remember

EDITOR'S NOTE: You can make more money, increase your business and build longevity in your relationships with your customers if you take them hunting and fishing with you. Many companies overlook this critical key in this day of bean counters, bottom lines and high-pressure sales. The better you know your customers, and more importantly, the better your customers know you, the more business each of you will do with the other and the better you can serve that customer. This week, we're looking at the reasons you should take your clients hunting and fishing, as well as ways to make your hunting and fishing trips more effective.

Although experiencing trips of a lifetime provide great fun for you and your customers, remember the purpose of the trip. You want to get to know your customer on a more personal level. To achieve this goal, develop a plan that allows you the maximum amount of quality time with your customer while on the trip.

Plan to actually hunt or fish with your clients. Don't just put him or her with a guide or on a stand away from you. The more time you spend with your customer on the hunting or the fishing trip, the faster you'll build that personal relationship that equals better business for both of you. For instance, if you hunt doves, take the stand next to your customer, and sit with your customer during each meal. Ride to and from the hunt with your customer, and take him to and from the airport.

When you don't walk on a quail hunt, either ride horseback or in a wagon with your customer while on the trip. No substitute exists for that shoulder-to-shoulder time you spend with your guest. On fishing trips, maximize your time with your customer too.

You'll find rooming with your customer an important way to have a successful corporate hunting or fishing trip. You'll get to know your client as a person and not just as a customer, and you'll have a much more successful company outing. Company-sponsored hunting and fishing trips improve the business climate, not only for the company but also for the customer.