Customer Service - A Lost Art?

Is customer service a lost art? Before you answer that question, take a moment and think about the last few times you have gone shopping or out to dinner. Okay, now that you have really thought about it, is your answer any different? Why is it that when we actually DO receive excellent customer service that it makes such an impression on us that we usually choose to go back? Why - because the occurrences are so few and far between!!!

As a home business owner, it is imperative to my business that customer service is ALWAYS a top priority. Remember the saying: "If you don't take care of your customer, somebody else will". I'm sure you have read or heard it somewhere before.....and how true it is.

Here are a few ways to improve customer service at your business:

  • SMILE - Sounds too simple, right? As a customer, would you prefer to be serviced by a smiling face, or a scowl that would befit a guard dog?

  • LISTEN - Always be slow to speak and quick to listen. Let customers express themselves without you trying to do it for them. Nobody likes being interrupted.

  • DON'T BE TOO PUSHY - Yeah, I know - the bottom line is sales, right?
    There is a fine line between suggesting products/services and pushing them down a customer's throat. If you are too pushy, your customer will probably walk away and take their business elsewhere.

  • PHONE ETTIQUETTE - Whether you are answering or initiating a call, always remember who the customer is. Be polite. Try "Yes sir/ma'am" instead of "yeah" and "nope". If you don't have an answer for your customer - offer to do some research to find what they are inquiring about.

  • THANK YOU - ALWAYS thank your customers. Even if you could not help them or they decided not to purchase from you. Leave them with a positive impression of your business before they leave.

  • TRAINING - Train your employees. Don't let an untrained employee ruin your track record of excellent customer service. Train your employees on-the-job for as long as necessary to teach them good customer service.

    • "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise"
    Luke 6:31

    In conclusion: Customer service may be THE most important aspect of your business plan. I know of many people who are willing to pay a little more for a product or service in order receive excellent customer care. Price, advertising, and location are all vital to a business---- but whatever you do, don't overlook the all-important "Good Customer Service".

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Craig Binkley ? husband, father and
    home business owner assisting in the
    restoration of the "traditional" family
    through home business ownership.
    http://www.bornagainbargains.com
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    In The News:

    BMV's customer satisfaction rate on the rise
    Chicago Tribune, United States - 1 hour ago
    Those employees applauded when Daniels announced that Indiana's BMV had won the 2008 Customer Service Excellence Award from the American Association of ...
    Initiatives designed to improve the BMV Chicago Tribune
    all 3 news articles

    B2B Customer Service: The Competitive Edge
    CRM Buyer - 11 hours ago
    By Christine Laycock Customer service is as important in the B2B space as it is in the consumer sector. It can be a differentiator for debt collection firms ...

    Real-World 3G Monthly Cost With Taxes and Fees?
    Slashdot - 6 hours ago
    This is basic customer service, not some advanced alien technology beyond the reach of AT&T. by Solandri (704621) on Saturday July 19, @10:00PM (#24258425) ...
    Real-World 3G Monthly Cost With Taxes and Fees? Slashdot
    all 3 news articles

    "Verizon customer service"
    BroadbandReports.com, NY - 28 minutes ago
    My only complaint is with Verizon's customer service. Product information on the website is inadequate. It is next to impossible to conduct business with ...

    Alpha elevates Customer Service to the next level with ACE
    Daily Mirror, Sri Lanka - 3 hours ago
    The Alpha Customer Experience (ACE) programme, which is aimed at improving the level of customer service and creating a memorable shopping experience, ...

    Customer Service SteepleGate Inn *Guest
    Quad City Times, IA - 14 hours ago
    Customer Service SteepleGate Inn *Guest Service Agent* We are seeking an enthusiastic, personable individual to join our Front Desk team. ...

    Customer service key for specialty shops
    BurlingtonFreePress.com, VT - 14 hours ago
    Purveyors of top-end clothing, notions for a pet or four-star meals say customer service and product quality drive sales. ECCO, a upscale boutique on Church ...

    This is Money
    Shop sales hurt by poor customer service
    This is Money, UK - 13 hours ago
    Hard-pressed High Street retailers could increase sales by as much as 50% by appointing good store managers and improving the quality of customer service. ...

    National Customer Service Provider to Employ Hundreds in Indiana
    Muncie Free Press, IN - 18 hours ago
    TERRE HAUTE, IN - Virginia-based service plan provider NEW Customer Service Companies, Inc. announced today its plans to locate a new virtual customer ...

    Insurance Customer Service Representative
    Seattle Times, United States - Jul 18, 2008
    There is an opening with an independently owned insurance brokerage firm based in downtown Seattle. This company is stable and is looking to add a Technical ...
    customer service - Google News


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