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Verbally questioning customers who are wanting to purchase an item is when you guide a customer through their decision making process. Identifying the best solutions for their specific needs. This approach helps build trust and allows for more personalised and effective sales interactions.

Social Media Listening for customers in general involves monitoring and analysing social media platforms to understand customer needs, sentiments, and behaviours, mostly to gain insights into market trends, customer feedback, and potential areas for improvement in products or services.

Customers surveys and questionnaires are tools to gather key information from customers. This helps companies identify what areas they need to improve in and what they are excelling at. This can strengthen customer relationships, meaning the customer will trust the company more which can lead to them staying loyal to the brand.

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Meeting customer expectations is crucial for growth in a business. Below is a list of reasons of why it is so important.

Positives:

Customer Commitment: Customers that are satisfied are way more likely to return and make repeat purchases, helping to build long-term business success.

Positive Word Of Mouth: Customers that had a positive experience will often share their experiences with others, valuable recommendations and referrals will attract new customers.

Customer Satisfaction: When expectations are met customers are far more likely to be satisfied with the product or service. This can lead to positive experiences and stronger loyalty.

Brand Reputation: Consistently meeting or exceeding expectations will create a strong reputation for quality and reliability.

Customer Retention: Meeting expectations increases customer retention by stimulating trust and reducing the chance of customers switching to competitors.

Negatives:

Decreased Customer Loyalty: If customers feel like their needs aren't being met, they are more likely to take their business elsewhere.

Negative Reputation: When customers have a negative experience with the service or product, they might write a negative review or share their experience with others. This could be with friends or family or on social media, this word of mouth could mean that the company would attain a negative reputation and end up losing potetioal customers.

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1.1 Well done Loriana you have described different methods that can be used to identify customer needs and expectations.  You have used some examples to support your work.

DP: Keep an eye on what you need to do to achieve the higher grades. Your examples could have been more detailed and related to Brighton Pier as per the brief.

1.1 Pass Achieved

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1.2 Well done Loriana you have successfully described why it is important to meet customer needs and expectations.

IP: Keep an eye on what you need to do to achieve the higher grades. Your examples could have been more detailed and related to Brighton Pier as per the brief.

1.1 PASS ACHIEVED

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Building working relationships with customers is key to fostering loyalty, trust, and a great reputation.

Remembering customer names and chatting to regulars is vital for a great customer service experience.

e.g. If you are a frequent visitor of Brighton Pier and the employees recognise you and always engage in conversations with you, that makes you feel welcome. This builds a trusting customer-employee relationship.

At Brighton Pier, responding to individual customer needs can create some memorable experiences for guests. e.g. If a family prefers kid friendly activities, you can suggest the most appropriate rides/areas for them. Offering them directions or suggesting a quiet spot if the child gets overwhelmed.

Using a loyalty card system works efficiently in several businesses. At Brighton Pier this would be a huge advantage, loyalty cards for the rides would bring much more business as they would get a better deal. This builds customer loyalty and repeat business.

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Managing customer expectations is extremely important as it builds trust, increases customer satisfaction, creates customer retention and helps keep a positive reputation. By setting clear and realistic expectations, customers are more likely to have a positive experience, leading to repeat business and positive word of mouth.

Customer Satisfaction- When customers know what to expect and their experience aligns with those expectations, they leave satisfied. For example, Brighton Pier attracts thousands of visitors daily, offering amusement rides, arcade games, food stalls and sea views. If visitors are well-informed about the facilities, prices, and any potential limitations (such as height restrictions on rides), they are more likely to enjoy their visit without disappointment.
e.g. If Brighton Pier advertises thrilling rides, but a visitor arrives and finds out that they are only suitable for children, they may feel let down. However, if the pier clearly communicates ride details (age and height restrictions) beforehand, visitors can plan accordingly.

Reduced Complains & Negative Reviews- One of the biggest challenges for any tourist attraction is handling complaints and online reviews. Many negative reviews come from a mismatch between expectations and reality.

A visitor expects all the rides to be open but finds several closed for maintenance.

They assume food will be reasonably priced but find it more expensive than anticipated.

They expect free entry to include access to all rides, not realising rides cost extra.

All these situations can lead to frustration and bad reviews. However, if Brighton Pier provides clear and transparent information about potential ride closures, food prices, and entry policies, visitors will be less likely to feel misled.

Builds Customer Trust- A visitor arrives at Brighton Pier expecting to ride the Ferris wheel, but it's temporarily closed due to maintenance. If the Pier has effectively communicated this closure in advance through its website, social media, and on-site signage, the customer will likely feel more understanding. They know what to expect and won’t be caught off guard, building trust in the Pier’s transparency. If staff then offer an alternative ride or a discount on future visits, this reinforces the trust and ensures the customer leaves with a positive impression, even if their original plan wasn’t possible.This approach helps maintain customer loyalty, as visitors are more likely to return when they feel informed and valued.

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Customer Satisfaction- There was an issue with the fresh batter in the doughnut kiosk at Brighton Pier. They are known for preparing fresh doughnuts within a short 5-10 minute wait, this disruption would make that there would be an extra 20-30 minute wait on the fresh doughnuts. The workers have put up a large sign up which explains the issue. They have also thoroughly explained and apologised to any customers that have approached them asking what the issue is. They have handled this incident so well that all the customers were understanding and were pleased to know that they could still get what they wanted if they waited a little bit longer.

Customer Retention- If there is a popular ride at the Brighton Pier that is forming a long queue which makes the wait time much longer than expected. Managing customer expectations would mean, putting up a sign that shows the duration of the wait time in sight of the customers. This means customers know what to expect when entering the queue. This method will make customers feel like they are not being mislead which will make them more likely to return.

Building Trust- At the Palm Court Restaurant in Brighton Pier they have run out of cod, there are customers piling up in line ready to be seated. The servers must let every customer know about the shortage of cod, even if that is not what they came for. This gives customers the option to stay seated and choose something else on the menu, or go somewhere else to get what they want. This builds customer trust as they know what they are in for without their time being wasted. They know that they can trust this restaurant to inform them of the correct information and not waste their time.

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1.3 MERIT ACHIEVED

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1.4 MERIT ACHIEVED

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1.5 MERIT ACHIEVED