To provide good customer service you must listen to the needs of your customer and work hard to meet those needs. Sometimes a customer needs assistance discovering what they need or want, so ask questions to determine what those needs are. This additionally helps with beginning a communication with the customer that can lead to more helpful assistance. Be prompt with your replies. Be direct and breakdown your answers and solutions as clearly as possible so no miscommunication may occur. This may assist with developing a relationship that increases your brand and reputation.
Good consumer service comes from the person wanting to be helpful. When I worked retail I still remember this older couple that wanted an area rug, I rolled the rug up for them and delivered it to the front of the store so they could purchase it, then they changed their mind and wanted a different rug so I did the same thing. Then after they had purchased the rug I carried it to the car, the older gentleman gave me a firm hand shake and said thank you. My kindness and helpfulness towards them resulted in them returning it to me. Another example that I have is talking to an electronics company about a flash drive that I had that had broken, on the phone they were nice and helpful to get my 10 dollar flash drive fixed. It seems whenever I have received good customer service the person was kind and not trying to busy me along.
Customers only reach out to customer service when they need help. It is important to deal with frustrated customers and help them get what they need. For example, if my phone isn’t working and I call Verizon, my bottom line is to get my phone fixed and not hear about my options to lose my unlimited data. Similarly, when I call to get my computer fixed, I don’t want the customer service rep to start off by telling me nothing can be done. This results in customers not returning to a brand which engenders a failed business plan in the long run.
The above story and insights are from a go-getter interested in improving their career and business ventures. This is part of the RichardStep Steppers plan to get more out of life! Now, let’s jump into some potential customer interviews and survey responses to see what people really think about this topic.
Offering Good Customer Service
To you, what are some of the biggest benefits usually associated with this topic?
One benefit is that good customer service will promote customer loyalty. Poor customer service might lead your customers or clients to take their business elsewhere. Another benefit is that good customer service can encourage customers to get you more business via word of mouth or good internet reviews. When I read internet reviews, people often mention the customer service they received. A third benefit is that understanding good customer service can increase profit. This leads from the first two benefits. Repeat customers and new customers will lead to larger profits.
This is very interesting stuff here and I think it could help people. What do you feel is the most life-altering thing about the topic?
The quality of someone’s life seems to be related to the quality of goods and services they receive in the marketplace. Life is better when as little time as is needed to accomplish a task is used, as opposed to taking half an hour for every step. Good customer service, whether it be at a restaurant, or a chop shop, is crucial to running a successful business, as well as maintaining good loyal customers.
Explain what about this subject could help people be just all around better.
If someone knows how to give customer service, they’re typically good at dealing with people. Since people in customer service departments deal with people very often that are not always in the best of mood, they gain a good amount of patience and tolerance for other people. Since these two traits are typically what make people much more likable, i would say that working and offering good customer service would go hand in hand with becoming a better person.
If you had to pick right now, how could you use this subject in your life more?
Good customer service is service that supplies the customer with what they actually need, and leaves them willing to do repeat business with the firm over a long time. This means that the customer must not be saddled with inferior, shoddy or useless products. Inferior products will not stand the test of usage. This can be relative though and depends on knowledge of the customer and his intended usage. Good customer service will make sure the customer knows what he is doing if he is buying inferior products. That may sound odd, but try it this way. When I was young I bought top of the line industrial tools, especially powertools. After 35 years several of them wore out last summer. I did not buy top end equipment to replace them, instead opting for smaller, lighter duty powertools that I expect to only last through moderate usage for about ten years. I have rebuilt houses, cars, foundations and special projects in the past. I’m 62 years old. I don’t expect to be doing such heavy work for much longer myself. So, I would have been annoyed if a salesman had tried to sell me top end top dollar gear. That would have been bad customer service.
Any recommendations on what people can do to get up to speed on this topic?
A person could learn about good customer service by exploring a variety of service situations. These could include going to restaurants, calling help lines, and exploring retail outlets. Taking observational notes would help a person internalize what they are experiencing. In turn, they could develop a greater understanding about what provided a good experience.
Who’s the flat-out worst at this subject?
I think that Verizon is one company that is lacking in customer service, especially once you are locked in to their 2-year contract. When you sign the contract you get to purchase a phone at a reasonable rate, which is just a reel-in tactic. If, during the next two years, your phone stops working, never started working correctly, or say took a dip in a pool, the company is no help whatsoever. They charge you an outrageous amount for a new phone and have no other options for you. Sure, you could have purchased insurance on the phone, but that cost $8 a month, almost $200 for the two years, and a $100 deductible. Once they have you, they are little or no help.
I’m looking for ways to improve my life – what advice would you give me related to this topic?
Customer service is the first impression a customer receives for a product or store. If you order food or try to find a product where the customer service is deficient, chances are the customer will leave feeling unsatisfied, regardless of how good the true product might have been. On the other hand, good service can often make up for other problems the customer might experience. It is as or more important than the quality of the actual product being delivered.
What’s something people should avoid if they’re looking into this subject?
Avoid using language that is not appropriate or rude. Too many people in customer service make the customers angry and use a tone that is perceived as angry rather than being patient. Body language is very important, and if the representative does not smile and is not perceived as being friendly, the customer will most likely not have the idea of having had good customer service.
How could you use this to succeed?
In doing the best for customer service, I would first and foremost listen to what the customer has to say in as much depth as possible. I would then try to meet the customer’s needs as best I can and as it applies within my capability to do so and what roles are appropriate to meet request. It is best that I approach the work of customer service with a friendly demeanor and a polite attitude so that the customer will respect me and see how much I am willing to do for them.
How would you recommend people get started on this topic?
Doing a study by going to five different businesses in one day and recording different areas of their customer service is a good way to compare. You can then see which areas have issues and how other companies excelled in that area. This will compare and give you better ideas for your company. You can search online and see what others are saying about a company’s customer service. Social media is good for finding what others experiences have been with a certain company. The company can then see through what other’s are saying and use that information to better their staff interactions and see what needs to be changed.
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