Imagine the chaos that could ensue from trying to implement every suggestion your customers make. Sure, some of the ideas would be useful, but many simply wouldn’t fit with your company objectives or might require resources beyond your means.

These are just a few of the reasons why most companies shy away from the idea of a customer advisory as a way to develop a more customer focused organization. But what more important audience is there than your own customers?

While planning and implement a customer advisory program can seem like an overwhelming project, carefully charting your objectives and approaching the task under the direction of an experienced project leader can ease the pain of getting started.

Some of the questions companies fear when implementing a program include:
1) What happens when a customer-led discussion becomes a negative free-for-all, with customers simply using the time to complain?
2) How do we keep the program fresh year after year?
3) What if we can’t pursue the ideas our customers suggest?

There is not enough space here to fully answer these questions. Suffice to say there are some excellent ways to diffuse an atmosphere of negativity and keep your program on track. This is where the help of an experienced moderator comes in. And this is why it is so important to commit to the success of the program over the long haul to truly measure its success and reach your customer advisory program goals.