LISTEN TO THE LATEST PODCAST EPISODE

Podcast Episodes

What is behavioral economics? Why does it matter to you?

I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation.

Podcast Episodes

What is behavioral economics? Why does it matter to you?

276. Surprise! It’s Delightful (And Drives Loyalty) (Refreshed Episode)

Today’s episode is all about surprise and delight. Hopefully, the title concept of this episode already has you in a happy and delightful mood (that’s priming for you!) and you are ready for some fun. I love thinking about experiences and incorporating fun, delightful moments. It can be with customers or employees and in totally unexpected places (that is the best strategy) like an error page of a website or the legaleze people agree to. 

Little moments of thoughtfulness are my favorite, and they help us to have fun at work (we should!) as well as help our customers and employees to enjoy interacting with us (which will make them want to do it more). And, while I don’t need much of an excuse to talk about surprise and delight, there is a specific reason I chose to refresh this episode from 2019 today, and that is as a lead into this coming Friday’s conversation with John Sills on his new book The Human Experience

His book is all about creating better experiences. He features brands that are already doing an amazing job and how companies can make big leaps by remembering their humanness. Great experiences shouldn’t be surprising, but sadly they are as too often the experiences with brands are more of a pain than a pleasure. But it doesn’t have to be this way! This episode will share why delight is so critical to companies, why surprise matters, what it all has to do with loyalty and profitability and so much more. It’s a fun one and I can’t wait to share it with you Friday (if you aren’t already subscribed to the podcast, take a moment to do so now). And, in the meantime, let’s talk about surprise and delight.

SHARE THIS EPISODE
Play Video

IN A RUSH?

HERE'S A 2 MINUTE TIP.

  • Here is a bullet point that can go with this section.
  • Here is a bullet point that can go with this section.
  • Here is a bullet point that can go with this section.
  • Here is a bullet point that can go with this section.

SHOW NOTES:

  • [00:38] Today’s episode is all about surprise and delight.
  • [02:12] Great experiences shouldn’t be surprising, but sadly they are as too often the experiences with brands are more of a pain than a pleasure.
  • [04:18] If a customer has an expectation they will either be satisfied or dissatisfied by the level at which that expectation is met or not. Expectation can’t lead to delight.
  • [05:15] Ideally you are living in the satisfied territory most of the time with a few delights popping up here and there. Delighting customers takes extra work and it can be expensive, though it doesn’t have to be. 
  • [05:38] Delight is much more likely to drive loyalty than mere satisfaction.
  • [07:31] It is important to not get stuck in the traps of false loyalty. 
  • [10:13] A 5% increase in loyalty can increase your profit by as much as 85%. 
  • [11:03] Loyalty is huge for businesses and delight is a big key to earning it. Loyalty isn’t the only awesome thing to come out of delighting customers. 
  • [11:57] The biggest issue is that there is no standard scale for measuring delight. 
  • [14:14] Customers can’t tell you what would cause them to be delighted because they have to be surprised. They can’t be expecting it or it isn’t going to hit the delight scale. 
  • [17:46] Finding someone who is influential and loves your brand and then finding a way to work with them can both delight that person and their following. 
  • [19:39] If your delights become standard then they become expected. Surprise is key to delight. 
  • [22:33] Having a great first encounter helps set the relationship off on a good start. Having a dose of delight every now and then keeps customers happy. 
  • [24:09] Empowering employees to help customers and go the extra mile can make a big difference in loyalty scores and profitability. 
  • [26:02] Sometimes the most delightful “WoW” moments happen in the blink of an eye. If employees are not empowered and need to cross layers of approval these moments could be lost forever. 
  • [28:27] In other businesses this could be as simple as changing the radio station on a loaner car to match the customer’s vehicle when it is brought in for repairs, or knowing when a client comes to your office for a meeting drinks chai tea lattes and having one waiting on them when they arrive. Little things can make a big difference and delight your customers. 
  • [30:01] Businesses always need to be watching the market to see what the status quo is and how expectations have changed to keep up with delight. 
  • [32:33] Melina shares one of her favorite examples of surprise and delight. 
  • [34:35] There are countless other ways your company can implement surprise and delight for your customers.  
  • [36:34] Listen to customers to understand what’s important to them. 
  • [38:08] Delight is not something you do one off and hope for the best. It requires time and strategy, but it is absolutely worth it. When you give a little bit to people often they want to give back. 
  • [40:45] Don’t let herding make you feel like you have to send stuff at the same time as everyone else. That is precisely why you should send something at another time because no one else is. 
  • [41:37] Melina’s closing thoughts
  • [43:41] It is important to take a step back and look around and disassociate from the current experience. Working with a consultant can be very helpful to bring fresh eyes to the situation. 

Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode:

Get your FREE Chapter!

Enter your information below and we will email it to you!

Get your FREE Chapter!

Enter your information below and we will email it to you!

Get your FREE Chapter!

Enter your information below and we will email it to you!

SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER
You don’t want to miss out on these behavioral economics concepts – and tips for how to apply them in your business.
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
The 10 Behavioral Economics Concepts You Need To Know (And How To Apply Them)
Get your FREE copy today!

I agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. I also consent to receive your email newsletter.

BOOK MELINA
Tell me a little about your event (name, dates, attendee, budget, etc.) I will personally respond to discuss the opportunity. I look forward to speaking at your event!
Marketing by
Enter your information below and we will email it to you!
Get your FREE Chapter!

I agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. I also consent to receive your email newsletter.

GDPR CONSENT
Join thousands like you from around the world and get The Brainy Business newsletter.
Want more behavioral economics insights?

I agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. I also consent to receive your email newsletter.

GDPR CONSENT
Enter your information below and we will email it to you!
Get your FREE Chapter!

I agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. I also consent to receive your email newsletter.

GDPR CONSENT
Enter your information below and we will email it to you!
Get your FREE Chapter!

I agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. I also consent to receive your email newsletter.

GDPR CONSENT
Text