Steel Dynamics Customer Satisfaction Strategy

Steel Dynamics 20 Customer Satisfaction Strategies

Today almost every country measures the level of customer satisfaction in one way or another, Steel Dynamics is no different. It measures customer satisfaction both directly by asking its customers and indirectly through various data points in the customer journey experience.

20 Customer Satisfaction Strategies that Steel Dynamics can use are -

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Customer Satisfaction as a Strategic Asset for Steel Dynamics

Steel Dynamics needs to treat customer satisfaction as a stragetic asset. Customer satisfaction is infact more critical than all the other factors in the VRIO analysis, a strategic tool to assess the importance of resources, imitation ability of the competitors, and organizational competence.

The strategic goal of the company should be to optimize the customer satisfaction level, not to maximize it. Customer satisfaction requires certain trade-offs. For example when the company is small it initially attracts customers who are looking for specific features and who become brand evangelists if they like the products. So the customer satisfaction levels at this stage are high. But once the brand attract heterogeneous customers then the satisfaction level come down as different customers have different requirements.

Fixing Company Customers Disconnect

Companies today actively measure, monitor and manage customers’ experience. Steel Dynamics needs to map the whole customer journey and look for areas where it can improve the customer experience. Fixing the company customer disconnect can help the Steel Dynamics to fix smaller bumps on the customer journey rather than doing the big ticket items such as product innovation, product re-development, building new distribution channel etc

Be reliable

Customers need to be able to rely on your business to deliver on its promises. Make sure Steel Dynamics meet its deadlines and that it deliver the products or services that Steel Dynamics have promised.

Be flexible

Things don't always go according to plan, so be prepared to be flexible and accommodating. If a customer is unhappy with something, do your best to find a solution that works for them.

Listen to your customers

The best way to find out what Steel Dynamics customers want is to ask them. Set up surveys, focus groups, or simply ask for feedback after a sale or service interaction.

Be positive

A positive attitude can go a long way in customer service. Make sure Steel Dynamics employees are friendly and helpful, and that they make customers feel welcome.

Be personal

Customers want to feel like they're dealing with a real person, not a machine. Use their names, personalize your communications, and make them feel like they're valued

Be helpful

Customers want to feel like they can get help when they need it. Make sure Steel Dynamics employees are knowledgeable and that they're able to answer customer questions and resolve problems.

Appreciate Complaining Customers

In the Iron & Steel industry, most companies treat complaints as annoying that take time and resources to manage. But research has shown that customers who complain are often more invested into the future of the company. Secondly if the firm successfully handles the complaints of the customers then the customers tend to more loyal to the firm in long run. Third resolving complaints can help the company to fine tune its offering, build better value proposition, innovate, and increase the rate of future success.

A Understanding What Steel Dynamics Customers Expect

Customer expectations are often grounded in the value proposition that Steel Dynamics is offering to its customers. The key to keep high customer satisfaction is to provide a customer with slightly better offering than what she is paying for. Customers are intelligent to assess when they are getting more than what they are paying for. If they perceive that they are getting more for what they are paying for then the satisfaction level is higher than a scenario where customers are paying premium prices for premium offerings.

Be responsive

When customers contact Steel Dynamics with a question or problem, be sure to respond promptly. A quick response shows that Steel Dynamics value their business and that it is committed to resolving their issue.

Quality, Reliability, and Customizability Performance Matters

Quality perception of customers is rooted into two factors – reliability and customizability of the product. Reliability is how long the product will last, customizability is how a customer can adapt the products to meet needs. Focus on reliability and customizability also depends upon the product market fit and stage of evolution the product is at. For example earlier in the product evolution, customers give high score to quality then customizability. But once the product reach the maturity stage then quality becomes reliable across the board and customers value customizability or design elements.

Satisfaction is always comparative

Customer satisfaction is also highly correlated with the macro economic growth and a nation’s economy. If the economy is doing well then customers have higher spending power and they have more scope for diverse spending. In such a scenario, customer satisfaction across the board is comparatively higher if the economy is going through a recession. So Steel Dynamics should focus on customer satisfaction in a comparative sense – how the Steel Dynamics is doing compare to its competitors. And secondly how satisfied customers are with the players in an industry that it operates in. For example customer satisfaction with oil brands overall is not positive but among brands customers still show loyalty in the whole sector.

Be transparent

Customers want to know what to expect from Steel Dynamics. Be transparent about your pricing, policies, and procedures.

Know the Ecosystem with Scientific Metrics

Covid 19 has certainly slowed down the globalization process. Companies today are looking for diversified supply chain. The war in Ukraine has also raised the concerns about globalization and global standards. The on-going trade war between US and China will certainly impact the globalization process in coming years. It will also create a scenario where companies have to adhere to different standards in different sphere of influence. For example TikTok is extremely successful product where customer satisfaction is driven by the suggestion algorithm success. But the US China tussle may result in either tinkering of the algorithm, erosion of talent across the board etc.

Be fair

Customers expect to be treated fairly, regardless of their circumstances. Make sure Steel Dynamics policies are clear and that it enforces them consistently.

Value and Price

Managing value perception independent of price is extremely difficult. Customers perceive value proposition through the prism of price. If the product is having premium features then the customers are expecting to pay premium price. If Steel Dynamics doesn’t position the product accordingly, then it is leaving money on the table. On the other hand if the product is priced too low then customers perceive it as a low quality product and customer satisfaction is highly correlated with the quality perception.

Stick Around and Be Loyal

Customer loyalty has increased across the board over the last decade and half. According to research millennials, customers born between 1981 and 1996, are comparatively more loyal to brands than the previous generations and the later generations. So if companies stay longer in the game, actively resolve customer complaints, and inculcate suggestions in the product and services development then the customer satisfaction grows gradually.