Curiosity in business – understand the human element
Curiosity in business – understand the human element
People buy from people. It’s an important pillar of marketing, but also of business. Keeping the human element at the centre of your business is one of the best ways to ensure that you remain relevant, attract new customers and retain great staff to help you grow.
In this blog, we talk to HR expert Nora about why people matter in business, why we should be curious about them and what to do with what we learn.
Why is the human element important in a business?
Nora: It goes without saying that without people, our businesses cannot exist. We need people to buy our products and services. We need people to work for us to deliver the business offering. And we also need other businesses offering services that compliment ours – I work closely with people who provide payroll services, for example.
But we need to look deeper. For our businesses to succeed, we need to be curious about these people: our customers, colleagues and collaborators. We need to find out what matters to them and how to cultivate our relationships with them.
What questions should we ask about our clients?
Nora: Listening to customers and clients is an important way to build a brand, establish a good reputation and grow a business. Market research will help us find out how our customers see our businesses and understand our strengths. But we can dial up our curiosity and find out more about our community in other ways. Consider what else they buy, and why. Consider their lifestyles and families. What makes them tick? Could we refine our offering to make it even more appealing to them? What do they need that we don’t yet offer, and can we plug that gap?
If you have face-to-face customers and clients, you can answer these questions by simply having an informal chat. You’ll be amazed at what you find out when you listen! Even if you don’t deal directly with your clients, you can find out quite a lot by keeping an eye on social media and the press. What trends can you spot? What opportunities can you leverage?
What should we find out about our team?
Nora: Whether you’re in the process of recruiting or you have an established team, it’s important to take an interest in the people who work for you. What matters to them? Why do they like working for your business? What are their priorities? With this information, you can understand how your business decisions affect them. You can also consider how best to manage them and how to address any problems that arise.
What your curiosity will do is make you a stronger business leader. You might gain more liking and more respect from your team or employees. And with a strong team around you, your business is more likely to thrive and grow.
HR outsourcing from Get Ahead
If our blog has made you think again about the business relationships you have with other people, Get Ahead can help. HR experts like Nora would love to help you with the processes and conversations you need to strengthen your team and grow your business. Meanwhile, our marketing team can advise on market research and reporting, giving you the information you need to take your next step.
Explore our site to find out more, or contact your local regional director today.
