Is it just me or does anyone else feel that most consumer focused businesses are not so consumer focused? For years I have pondered this question and yet, still I ponder. It seems that almost every time that I have any time, the places I need to visit or call are closed. If you are like the 90% of us who work, at a minimum, from 8 am - 5 pm Monday thru Friday then you must surely run into this dilemma on a relatively frequent basis.
There is no need to go on and on about this because my point is quite simple: If you are consumer focused, you should be open at hours that are convenient for your customers; not hours that are only convenient for you.
At a minimum staying open until 9 pm one day a week would make a big difference for those of us who cannot break away during the work day to attend to the ongoing needs of non-work life. Here are but a few examples of the types of companies and organizations that should evaluate their hours of operation and consider making some changes so that consumers can conveniently buy their products or utilize their services.
- Banks
- Doctor/medical offices
- Customer service call centers (all industries)
- Department of Motor Vehicles
- Automobile repair/oil/lube shops
My list is intentionally short because it can literally go on and on.
I don't hold out much hope that the government agencies will ever change their hours for the convenience of consumers, however the other types of businesses should keep in mind that an entrepreneur may find a pot of gold in their short-coming. Wow, think about it. Possibly an auto repair shop that fixes your car while you sleep. Hmmmm. No rental car needed. No inconvenience. I would probably even pay a premium for that kind of service.
- chillin' at the cooler. Mark Willingham
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