Yes, that’s right. Love is the answer. Even in business. The more you give customers love, the bigger returns you reap. And it all starts and ends with relationships.

Needless to say, it doesn’t happen overnight because like any meaningful relationship, you need to work at it. For starters, that means attracting Mr or Ms Right Customer – one with whom you can potentially build a long-lasting, fruitful and meaningful relationship. Because while one-off shopping affairs with the wrong kind of customers offer immediate, short-term highs, they can’t sustain a business.

So don’t be afraid to gently ditch a customer you deem unprofitable (the kind that’s high-maintenance, low return) if this gives you freedom to spend quality time with customers that are likely to spend more, more often and for longer with you.