Target is seemingly on a mission to create an even more loyal following.
Have you been to a store lately? You can't walk down an aisle without being asked "may I help you find something?" I counted four asks on a recent visit. A bit much, but as I thought about it I concluded that it's exactly what Target's been missing. A personal connection that may annoy a bit at first, but ultimately will lead to better relationships and more spending.
And, still I love Target. Chances are you also do.
Yet, other than meeting my shopping needs and dwindling my bank account, Target's never really engaged with me. It is now.
Last week as I walked through the aisles buying stuff that I really didn't need, I continued to think that Target's new "may I help you" attitude is exactly what Milwaukee needs.
We're already a kind city and, generally, visitors are surprised at our offerings and welcoming nature. Yet Milwaukee hasn't ever really pounced on our propensity to be polite. Like Target, we need to reinforce and better promote our helpful nature.
There's an opportunity here. As Target knows, a happier customer is a more loyal one and one that will probably spend more and share more via social networks.
Marketing Milwaukee is everyone's business, so stepping up our already pumped up politeness factor could go a long way to building a stronger and greater Milwaukee.
Target's doing it. Milwaukee should, too.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
