I love to travel, and flying is my favorite way to go. I just seem to come alive in an airport and on the plane. Since May of 2017, I’ve been to Chicago, Bartow, Kissimmee, Orlando, Miami, and Jacksonville (all in FL) New Orleans, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Little Rock, Dallas, Kentucky, and a few other locations. I always fly Southwest Airines, and love their in-flight magazine. Part of the reason I love their magazine is because each issue contains their philosophy and a word from their CEO.
Southwest Airlines – and their business philosophy – has valuable nuggets of wisdom that can benefit small business owners. Here are five of my favorites.
- Treat Your Customers Like They Matter
While other airlines are nickel and diming their customers to frustration, Southwest isn’t charging extra baggage fees etc., etc., etc. They’re thinking like their customers and putting their needs and wants first. PLUS, they sometimes sing those awesome songs to share their safety features. How cool is that? - Leverage The Power of Social Media
Southwest has over 10 million social media followers. Their Twitter account is clever and responsive because their posts stay in step with the weather and current event. They even post funny videos of their flight attendants. In fairness, there is one corporate social media account I love as much as I do, SWA. That’s Wendy’s, of course. Their social media person is a BEAST! - Make Your Brand Position Clear
Southwest Airlines flies the same type of jet to the same locations with no frills and outstanding customer service. What sets your brand apart from your competitors? Do you customers know that? USP (unique selling point) has become a buzzword for small business owners in every industry. Your USP is simply what sets you apart. It’s not enough for your team members to know your USP. It must be crystal clear to your target market as well.
What lessons have you learned from Southwest Airines and other big brands that you can apply to your small business? Share ‘em in the comments and let the rest of us in on the good stuff. You can also check the rest of my posts for updates and small business resources.