Home Skip to main content Skip to footer

Grow Your Business

"Putting Heart" into Customer Relationships Can Mean Results

Show Transcript

Hide Transcript

[video begins]

[Text on-screen] Jodi Bailey Gill is the Founder and President of The Experts Bench Inc. (TEB), an international provider of expert marketing resources to corporations of all sizes. Gill—who has a diverse business background ranging from management training with a Fortune 50 company to helping take a start-up public—has partnered with SunTrust as a consultant and a client for more than 10 years.

[Jodi Bailey Gill] A successful business is built upon understanding your customer. Customers have to be the center, and you have to understand all of the aspects because you need to know why they have turned to you, why they’ve chosen you over another opportunity, and what are those compelling reasons, and continue to nurture that. If you have served a customer or a client well, you can ask them for support in another endeavor.

[Text on-screen] The Success of Referrals

I do believe that if there’s anything that a consumer or a customer loves, they will share it with others. And that can be the momentum to get behind in that relationship. That comes full circle with the concept of referrals. If there’s one test that you have in business that will set your business into a success mode right from the beginning, it is measuring the success of referrals.

Customer relationships are key, whether it is in a transaction business or whether you have a long-term service model. And sometimes we think that the long-term service model is the relationship business and the transaction business is just that, transactions. But actually, the value of each transaction builds over time, so what you’re going for is sustenance in that customer.

[Text on-screen] “That’s Where You Get Loyalty”

We want more than just one customer transaction. We want that transaction to evolve into a continuous lifetime customer, and that’s where you get loyalty. And that’s where you can depend upon a revenue stream, and that becomes a relationship. The number one way to build a relationship is by giving. Giving doesn’t require introversion, extroversion. It just requires giving up a little bit of yourself.

Sometimes it’s difficult for us to sell. So, we actually make our life easier if we quit selling and we start giving. So, I like the motto, instead of “always be selling,” “always be giving.” How can I get to know you so I can know how I can help you in some way? That’s the kernel of the relationship that always comes back in business.

[Text on-screen] Contact your local SunTrust banker for more information on business solutions, or visit the SunTrust Resource Center for additional guidance.

[video ends]

Running a successful business requires more than just processing transactions. It’s built upon connecting with your customers, nurturing the relationship and earning their loyalty.

Contact your local SunTrust banker for more information on business solutions, or visit the SunTrust Resource Center for additional guidance.

This content does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, financial or investment advice. You are encouraged to consult with competent legal, tax, accounting, financial or investment professionals based on your specific circumstances. We do not make any warranties as to accuracy or completeness of this information, do not endorse any third-party companies, products, or services described here, and take no liability for your use of this information.

What's New

Investment and Insurance Products:

Are Not FDIC or any other Government Agency Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value

All Truist mortgage professionals are registered on the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System & Registry (NMLS), which promotes uniformity and transparency throughout the residential real estate industry. Search the NMLS Registry.Link opens a new window

Truist, SunTrust^®, SunTrust PortfolioView, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey^®, SunTrust Premier Program^®, AMC Pinnacle^®, AMC Premier^®, Access 3^®, Signature Advantage Brokerage, Custom Choice Loan^®, SunTrust SummitView^®, LightStream^®, GFO Advisory Services^®, BB&T^®, BB&T Securities^®, BB&T Sterling Advisors, Sterling Capital^®, BB&T Investments, and BB&T Scott & Stringfellow^® are service marks of Truist Financial Corporation. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Services provided by the following affiliates of Truist Financial Corporation: Banking products and services, including loans and deposit accounts, are provided by SunTrust Bank and Branch Banking and Trust Company, both now Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Trust and investment management services are provided by SunTrust Bank and Branch Banking and Trust Company, both now Truist Bank, and SunTrust Delaware Trust Company. Securities, brokerage accounts and /or insurance (including annuities) are offered by SunTrust Investment Services, Inc. and BB&T Securities, LLC, P.J. Robb Variable Corp., and Precept Advisory Group, LLC, which are SEC registered broker-dealers, members FINRALink opens a new window, SIPCLink opens a new window, and a licensed insurance agency where applicable. Investment advisory services are offered by SunTrust Advisory Services, Inc., GFO Advisory Services, LLC, BB&T Securities, LLC, Sterling Capital Management, LLC, and BB&T Institutional Investment Advisors, Inc., each SEC registered investment advisers. BB&T Sterling Advisors, BB&T Investments and BB&T Scott & Stringfellow, are divisions of BB&T Securities, LLC. Mutual fund products are advised by Sterling Capital Management, LLC. Mortgage products and services are offered through SunTrust Mortgage, a tradename for SunTrust Bank now Truist Bank.

"SunTrust Advisors" may be officers and/or associated persons of the following affiliates of Truist Financial Corporation: SunTrust Bank now Truist Bank, our commercial bank, which provides banking, trust and asset management services; SunTrust Investment Services, Inc., a registered broker-dealer, which is a member of FINRALink opens a new window and SIPCLink opens a new window, and a licensed insurance agency, and which provides securities, annuities and life insurance products; SunTrust Advisory Services, Inc., a SEC registered investment adviser which provides Investment Advisory services.

SunTrust Private Wealth Management, International Wealth Management, GenSpring, Business Owner Specialty Group, Sports and Entertainment Group, and Legal and Medical Specialty Groups are marketing names used by SunTrust Bank now Truist Bank, SunTrust Investment Services, Inc., and SunTrust Advisory Services, Inc.

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey is the trade name for the corporate and investment banking services of Truist Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries, including SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., member FINRALink opens a new window and SIPCLink opens a new window.

Thank you for choosing SunTrust now Truist. We welcome the opportunity to serve your financial needs. While SunTrust and BB&T have merged to become Truist, both institutions will continue to offer independent product lines for a period of time. This may include differing underwriting guidelines, product features, terms, fees, and pricing.

Our friendly teammates at your local BB&T branches will be happy to walk you through their products. You can also learn more by contacting them at 1-800-BANK-BBT or BBT.com.

Grow Your Business

"Putting Heart" into Customer Relationships Can Mean Results

Putting Heart into Customer Relationships Can Mean Results

Related

Business Credit Cards: Which Is Right for Your Company?

The 4 Best Known Ways to Build Business Credit

Put the SBA Winning Formula to Work

What's New