Succeeding as an entrepreneur is as much about failure as it is about success, claims Luxuri CEO Jonathan Campau. He explains that the most successful entrepreneurs are masters at learning from their mistakes and believes everyone should fail fast… and fail often. Failure can be the best teacher if people are willing to take note of lessons learned. Many entrepreneurs have created highly successful organizations with no genuine experience in a particular market and surprisingly, not much insight.
The key ingredient is their risk-taking mentality, says Campau. They forge ahead despite possible pitfalls and learn very quickly from mistakes made along the way. This gives confidence to the organization and empowers their behavior. He adds that their achievements are a key element of that confidence and reassures the team they can always pick themselves up if they fall. Jonathan Campau’s short-term leasing company, Luxuri, has provided him years of experience in renting high-end homes and experiences to celebrities, A-listers, and the global elite. It has also given him plenty of learning moments about serving customers. Here he shares three client-focused tips for entrepreneurial success.
1. Make Customers a Higher Priority than Strategy
Business organizations gloat about paying close attention to consumer satisfaction; however, many don’t capitalize. Campau says Luxuri learned early on in its existence that it’s crucial to embrace a solid client-first mentality that genuinely addresses their issues and makes truly memorable encounters. He adds “Client First” is a basic social technique that organizations use to put their clients at the focal point of all that they do. Using this methodology, every decision Luxuri makes today considers how it will affect a client experience, even those decisions that appear to be simply germane.
2. Understand the True Needs of the Client
Campau shares that it’s vitally important to listen to your customers. Business schools pound this mentality into students and is something his company has learned to always keep front and center in the organization. Amazon and other retail giants receive continual attention because they differentiate themselves by capitalizing on a key client desire for items to be delivered quickly – and they pay slightly more for that experience. He adds that customers may not always be sure of what they need, but can always tell you about a product or service and their experience with it. Campau jokes with an example using a consumer that prefers not to purchase gas and may complain about the price, but they always want to drive from Point A to Z.
3. Become the Consumer
How often do employees follow the guidelines of the company and in return lose out on a sale? Billions of dollars are lost each year because employees do what they’ve been told to do, not what they should do. Campau has learned to give his employees the ability to make decisions in the heat of the moment. He says that strategy sometimes makes the company money but at other times it opens the door to a coaching moment that will provide dividends in the future. Campau stresses that history has taught that placing himself in the shoes of the customer and tuning in to staff gives understanding not only what customers want and need, but valuable insight into the employee’s perspective.
As a final thought, Campau suggests that a client-first mentality should include employees. They are the lifeblood of a business, and their well-being and development is crucial for future success. Consider rewards and incentives for thinking as the customer and recommending changes that embrace that mentality. Campau reminds us that a well-executed client-first strategy keeps customers happy but also positively impacts the bottom line. In the end, it’s not really about failing or cliché business jargon. Entrepreneurs shouldn’t set out to fail but if they do it’s about learning the lesson, bouncing back, and recovering from the setback. Don’t highlight the failures – adapt to them and grasp that inherent lesson within. You can follow Jonathan Campau on Instagram @luxuri.ceo and find more information on Luxuri at www.luxuri.com.
