The Sunday Mail
Cresencia Marjorie Chiremba
LAST week my column on identifying your loyal customers, and I promised to write on how to acknowledge them.
I then realised that I ought to start by acknowledging my loyal consumer issues readers, who have always taken time to go through my weekly offerings.
There was one time I was feeling lazy to write, and I remember telling my sister, Nyasha Chiremba, about it and her response has stuck with me ever since.
She said: “Your next big break might be in the article that you are about to write, but not feeling like writing”.
I picked myself up and started writing, and since then I never feel lazy to write.
Truly, who knows where this will take me. The sky is the limit!
Tapiwa my friend always refers to me as his ‘celebrity friend’, because I write in Zimbabwe’s Leading Family Newspaper…hahaha. I suppose I am a shadow celebrity, hiding behind the pen.
Let me start by lighting the flame of those people that have given me the chance to share my knowledge with different readers of The Sunday Mail Online. Special mention goes out to Garikai Mazara who opened the door for me in 2020, and today Tawanda Musarurwa and your team you are still holding that same door for me now.
I am truly grateful.
And now to my loyal readers and prospective future readers, here is a personal thank you:
Dear Consumer Issues Readers
What is a writer without their readers?
I do not know the answer, but all I know is, every time I write, I do it with my readers in mind.
You are my mirrors. In you I see the reflection of my words and ideas. You help me to shape them, translate thoughts into sentences, and communicate them with you.
My first article “The Customer Is Always King” was published on January 22, 2020 when I was still a novice in writing.
It was out of a personal experience that made me realise that most companies in our country were not treating customers as an important asset for their continued existence.
There was a customer service gap, with many companies failing to provide positive customer experiences to their ‘supposed customers’.
Thank you for the feedback, and sharing your thoughts even when you have different points of view.
Sometimes, when I feel like tiring, I remind myself that there are people who are genuinely interested in what I have to offer, and are learning a thing or two.
These thoughts just give me more zeal to write, and it makes it more interesting.
Some of you have also shared your personal experiences on these articles, and it shows me that I am connecting with real people on matters that are practical.
If you and I would apply these ideas where we work, maybe one day we will experience a better shopping experience with a world class standard.
I have discovered that writing is not a one-way communication, but it is a way to create conversations around a particular subject.
I am elated when you give me feedback to my writings.
In my mind I feel that I have inspired someone, taught something new to someone with my pen.
Every week when I finish writing these articles, I go to bed with a fulfilling smile because I know deep down that somewhere somehow, I have touched someone’s life or may be changed it a bit or I have just reminded them of things that they knew already, but maybe needed a reminder.
That in itself is self-gratifying.
I have made friends and networks with people that I have never met, and may never meet, through these articles.
Writing has opened some doors that I would never have dared open had I not shared my passion for customer service and marketing.
As business people and customers at the same time, learning is continuous. Always renew your knowledge with a read.
They say knowledge is power, so allow me continue to empower you with what I know.
Remember your next big business break might be in the article that you shelved and promised to read, but never did!
Happy Holidays!
THANK YOU, NDINOTENDA, SIYABONGA
Cresencia Marjorie Chiremba is a marketing enthusiast with a strong passion for customer service. For comments, suggestions and training, she can be reached on [email protected] or on 0712 979 461, 0719 978 335
