What a busy month! After just getting back from the International Builders Show there was lots of opportunities on my desk that needed attention, so I’ve been drinking lots of coffee and doing lots of reading and searching to get the best results and answers for my clients. Last week I was on the road again, working with @home Builders in Rochester NY on their amazing new design center that is going to be an amazing resource for their clients and their vendors. Something that keeps coming up in all of these different arenas is brand loyalty.

When I’m in Rochester there are two destinations that are a must for me – Tim Hortons and Wegmans. What I love about Tim Hortons and keeps me coming back is quality and speed. Every store is consistent – no matter where I am I know I can get thru the drive thru quickly, the coffee will be perfectly hot and the right strength, and the sandwiches will be toasted to perfection with fresh ingredients. And the bonus is the cost – they beat every other chain as far as value hands down.

Wegmans is the ultimate food destination and it’s a treat just to browse the aisles and see what’s new. I’ve been now traveling to Rochester with an empty suitcase so I can bring back treats from both of these stores and share these finds with my friends and family.

@home Builders understands brand loyalty and works very hard to take great care of their customers and promote referrals. The Home Idea Factory has been working with them since their first model homes and we not only appreciate their business, we work very hard to keep them as loyal to us as we are to them. David Riedman, owner of @home Builders and Riedman Development traveled with me to IBS to source out new vendors and materials to keep his design center and homes cutting edge. He was looking for partnerships, and I was amazed how few companies seemed to see the value in having a brand loyal client. What a missed opportunity for them. When you have a client who is doing things right it’s a great opportunity for you to also show off the quality and value of what you do.

Never underestimate the value of your brand, and how by encouraging your customers to be loyal to that brand you can guarantee additional sales in the future.