How can I add value for my customers?

I’m lucky enough to be just back from 2 weeks holiday. We usually stay in the UK because we like to include Bailey in our family holidays, so we had 2 weeks in lodges on 2 different sites, both of which were fab. It did however mean that it was easy to compare the two.

The first week we ended up paying quite a bit more for owing to a hiccup with our original booking. Both lodges were equally luxurious being spacious and beautifully finished and both had a hot tub, but we all agreed that the second lodge would have felt more luxurious with a few tweaks.

The lodges themselves were very similar in terms of the size and the finish inside with both of them being very modern and comfortable. However, whilst the space around the lodges were comparable in size, the first site had fenced off the areas between the lodges so that each lodge had a private garden area. This simple change made a huge difference to our holiday experience for the following reasons.

• Firstly, as the area was fenced off Bailey had a bit more freedom and it meant that we could let him out to visit the little puppy’s room without having to put the lead on and go out with him. Given that we were holidaying in the UK, that meant that we didn’t have to get soaked in the rain every time he needed to spend a penny.

• The extra private space outside made it feel like the lodge itself had been extended. It also meant that there was space for a large table with plenty of space around it. The second lodge also had a nice large table, but in contrast it was too big for the decking it was on, which meant that you had to clamber around the table to squeeze past it.

• At the first lodge there was also enough space in the fenced off area for the hot tub to sit in the garden near the table. This meant that even if you weren’t in the hot tub you could still socialise with those that were. Obviously, that also meant being constantly showered with water by a 15-year-old boy instead of relaxing happily with a book, but it was a small price to pay. The hot tub in the second lodge was instead fenced off around the back of the lodge. Whilst it felt private, you also felt penned in when you were using it and there was nowhere for anyone else to sit and socialise next to it.

• Having the hot tub in the garden area meant that you also had a view from the hot tub which made it all the more enjoyable. Unfortunately, in the second lodge, the hot tub was fenced off so closely all you could see was fencing!

We had a lovely restful time at both sites but by spending just a little extra money on fencing off the area, putting down a few paving slabs and installing the hot tub in a slightly different location the second lodge could have added a lot of extra value and could have commanded a higher weekly rent.

It made me think about whether there are any ways I can add value in my business. Are there any small tweaks you could make in your business that would add to the customer’s experience of using your products or services?