Satisfying The Customer With Great Service

“The customer is always right, even when they’re wrong, they are right.”
Retailers Golden Rule

The most important person in any organization, no matter what size, no matter the product or service provided, is the customer. Without the customer, there is no money generation, which leads to a new “For Rent” sign being displayed and talented workers beating the bushes for the next great opportunity. It doesn’t matter in what department you work, if no revenue comes in, bills don’t get paid.

And before the choir cries out, that it’s not my job, remember the 1st golden rule, soon it won’t be. Cause everything is your job. This is a lesson that every successful entrepreneur learns. Making sure that this idea is carried out and put into practice depends on making sure that employees have what it takes and can deliver it.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE
ATTITUDE
No word is stronger to describe this essential Key to Customer Service. People who are successful in this field look and act professional. They are friendly, good listeners, patient, and polite. Understanding that customers have a plethora of choices, it is not always price that tips the scale in deciding where to spend money. It is a feeling of comfort, of dependability, that makes people return.

KEY SKILLS
There are 3 skills at the heart of Customer Service that we can look at, each equally important: Communications, Problem Solving and a Go-Getter. Active Listening, a key component of Communications, works here. If you didn’t hear what the issues are and ask questions, how can you resolve it? The saying goes,” you have 2 ears and 1 mouth, use them in proportion”.

Customer Service, at it core, is problem solving. Remaining calm, taking charge, thinking on your feet and outside of the box when necessary, means you look for solutions. And if you didn’t accurately hear the details, your solution may or may not work.

It’s being a go-getter, going extra mile for customers, which they remember and appreciate. Instead of dismissing the problem, getting off your best intentions (instead just going through the motions) shows you care.

THINGS TO REMEMBER
While attitude and the right skill set determine the success of working with the public, other important factors have to be taken into considerations. Knowledge, not just of a particular service or product, but of relationships is important. How well you know the industry and the competition, what your company does better, effects whether or not customers return.

Knowledge of your role in the company, not just job duties, is another point. It does not matter where you work, when some is looking for help, you represent the company. It is about your interaction with people you work with. Are you a team player or a diva? Do you go the extra mile or do enough (in your opinion)? And how do show it; because customer service is more than talking the talk, it’s walking the walk.

CONCLUSION

Providing quality, attentive customer service won’t save you from poor management decisions and financial difficulties, but it does give you a professional appearance and demeanor. As noted by business leaders, the purpose of business is not in profits, but the ability to acquire and keep customers. If this is done correctly, profits follow. We all remember good Customer Service and value it. And come back when we’re happy with the results