Take a Page from Starbucks with this Simple Strategy (Watch)

Almond milk seems to be all the rage right now. And Starbucks is taking notice.

The coffee giant just announced that it would be adding almond milk to its selection of non-dairy milk options after receiving tons of requests on its crowdsourcing platform for customers and employees. The company also cited a consumer report stating that 58 percent of adults drink some form of non-dairy milk.

Those numbers are hard for companies to ignore. So even though adding an extra option for consumers might present some costs up front, the benefit to both consumers and Starbucks is clear. (Starbucks already offers soy and coconut milk as non-dairy options.)

The Difference Between Hearing and Listening

The decision to collect feedback creates a great resource for businesses large and small. But you have to actually take those requests seriously if you're going to better your business and improve your offerings.

Think about it.  If all those people who suggested Starbucks add almond milk as a non-dairy option were left wanting, they'd likely find another coffee shop that actually listens to its customers and go there for their morning latte. But since Starbucks is taking those requests seriously, its customers will likely continue coming back.

It can be the same way for your small business. Just collect feedback (hearing) and show your customers you care by adjusting your products and services accordingly (listening).

Starbucks Photo via Shutterstock

This article, "Take a Page from Starbucks with this Simple Strategy (Watch)" was first published on Small Business Trends