A Businessman’s Guide to Great Customer Service
Do you think you are providing great customer service? Most businesses would say yes, yet customers report that modern business is plagued with poor customer service and rude employees. In this atmosphere, knowing the secrets to great customer service can set you apart from the competition and guarantee repeat business. There are five concrete things you can do to make customers look forward to dealing with you and your employees.
1. Provide a personal touch. Most people engage in small talk at some point in a business deal. Following up on this small talk can make customers feel that they are special and wanted in your business. This can be as simple as asking a customer whether they got over a cold they were fighting or asking them how their daughter performed on the SAT’s. Although this doesn’t seem like much, it will reap huge rewards and build customer loyalty.
2. Provide customized service. This means trying to figure out what your customers need, and then providing it. Maybe they dislike having to come to your office to read proofs. Can you email the documents to them so they can fit the task in at their convenience? Little touches like this will keep customers coming back.
3. Take complaints seriously. Do not act defensive or like they are insignificant. Listen to what hte customer says and improve where needed. If a customer does not feel satisfied with the reaction, they will tell others how they feel.
4. Honesty. Being honest about the good and bad of your products will make your customers trust you. If you are dishonest, they will not come back. By inegrating honesty into your business values, you will setting yourself apart from your competition.
5. Involve your employees. Explain to your employees how you expect them to treat all people who they come in contact with. Providing prizes for the best customer service is a good idea. No matter who your customer talks to, they should be treated the same way everytime.
Filed under: Customer Service