A little late but a small follow up from March on a consumer trend still very much trending.
Random acts of kindness...Just saying the words can make you gasp for air right.. ? It's all about doing something extraordinary, something human and its definitely not been recognized until recently, as part of a business culture or a business plan. It is a trend solely based on a planet spinning its way into endless connectivity. It can be a source for great recognition or a major pitfall; in worst case a Damocles sword turning against your mission.
Did you ever happen to be the kid wanting something extra from your parents? Whether it was extra pocket money or lending the car, those ridiculous rites of being extra nice to them to get on their good foot before you asked? Yeah, you were so busted before you ever got to the question! It is a naive example but it still has some moral behind it. Your parents might just smiled it off and understood how badly you needed the car, but the question is if a customer will be as nice as your parents was.
Even with a business in mind the spirit of acting kind has to be sourced to a true conviction, a cause or something that touches you relative to your business and your customers. And you might say I have a bottom line to be concerned about. Well, it is even ok to set aside a budget for random acts of kindness, but do not use it unintentionally and be clear about why you are being kind. The worst thing that can happen is if your customer find your act to be a shallow stunt just to sell more products.
On the bright side, customer loyalty is not so easily achieved as it used to be and I believe this trend can be an opportunity to establish loyalty to brands, products and companies that goes beyond the constant flow of information and offers generated to the consumer every day.
Here are 2 links where you can read more about the trend:
Random Acts of Kindness
Random acts of kindness and your brand
