Help Your Customers Create New Habits

Help Your Customers Create New HabitsYou can see it coming. Those tasty holiday treats give way to fervent New Year’s resolutions to lose those extra pounds. We start strong but one in three people ditch their goal by the end of January. Businesses are recognizing this and are starting to offer products that help customers form lasting habits. Find out how some businesses are turning this trend into an opportunity.

Mintel has identified an emerging trend. Consumers are learning new ways to nudge themselves toward better habits. And some businesses are helping them out. Here are three takeaways from the report along with some examples of how a small business might use the idea.

Consumers are looking for tools to stay on track and meet their personal goals.

Vittell has redesigned its water bottle caps to help consumers meet their fitness goals. The cap has a built in timer. Each hour a little flag pops up reminding them to drink water. Proper hydration has been identified as an important fitness habit.

Small business example: A local restaurant can provide meal options based on the calorie count desired. If a diner wants a 300-calorie meal, he/she could choose from several options listed on the menu. The restaurant does the counting for them.

A reward system can be more effective than relying on sheer willpower.

foodtweeksTM is a smartphone app that helps consumers manage their weight and health, coming in 2016. It identifies ways for them to “tweek” what they are eating to reduce their caloric intake. For example, omit the cheese from your hamburger. But the kicker is the motivation behind it. For every calorie you give up, foodtweeks donates to a local food bank. They provide nutritious meals to hungry families.

Small business example: A bicycle repair shop could sponsor maps of local bike trails with the mileage marked. Each time customers come into the shop (or visit the website), they can register the miles they rode for prizes based on their goal.

Weaving in a social element appeals to consumers looking for support.

Weight Watchers offers a Facebook page as a part of their program. Participants have 24-7 access to support from others in the program. It provides tips, motivation and testimonials that help individuals stay on target with their goals.

Small business example: A local yoga studio could sponsor a yoga buddy program that pairs customers with similar skill levels. The buddies help to motivate each other, provide feedback, and attend regular sessions.

Increasingly, consumers are working to develop lasting habits that improve the quality of their life. And they appreciate businesses that can help them help themselves. So take advantage of this trend. Consider what your business can offer to help customers reach their personal goals.

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