Monday, July 18, 2011

The Top Three Secrets of Customer Service Success

Have you ever noticed that when a Microsoft product doesn't perform the way we expect it to (i.e. make our lives easier), there is a tendency to blame Bill Gates or Steve Ballmer. We don't blame the software, but the leaders of the company. The fact is, for a majority of the American public, the product being sold is often synonymous with the person who endorses or manufactures it.

This phenomenon lends a twist to the role customer service plays in business. Now, not every product is as high profile as those offered by Microsoft, but the tenet remains the same. From the customer point-of-view, your company IS the person that they speak to on the phone, meet at the counter, see in uniform on the street, or run into at a social gathering. The perception is, in short, user-friendly customer service equals user-friendly products.

The Customer's Viewpoint

The definition of what constitutes customer service differs greatly. In general, customer service starts with great products at great prices. It's quick, efficient, competent, customer-conscious communication and service. Customer service, however, also deals with a whole set of intangibles like integrity, honesty, and interpersonal skills. According to one study, these intangibles become the deal breakers for many customers.

With the vast array of possibilities today, customers have more options than ever and they are not afraid to exercise them. Customers today are also less shy about offering their opinions. The Small Business Association reports, "some studies indicate a disgruntled customer will tell 7 to 11 people about an unpleasant experience with your company." The popularity of e-mail, blogs, and social media outlets like Twitter and Facebook have made it easier for customers to pass on the word. In fact, e-satisfy.com notes that e-commerce customers are even more vocal when dissatisfied. "Dissatisfied online customers are almost four times more likely to discuss their experience in an online forum than satisfied customers."

From the consumer perspective, loyalty is earned (or lost) through both the tangible and intangible components of service. Due to the increase in competition, consumers expect good prices and great service. Their business, return business, and referrals will be awarded to the enterprise that regularly provides more than they expect.

The Business of Customer Service

Customer service today has a tendency to be reactive because problems always arise unexpectedly and fires need to be put out quickly. Most companies are aware that this is not the most effective or efficient way to handle customer issues. In fact, many companies are spending top dollar to take their customer service departments from that reactive stance to a highly proactive structure.

Dianna Booher, of Booher Consultants, Inc., maintains that good customer service is dependent on three things:

   1. Customer-friendly policies set by the organization. Have the consequences and impact of new policies been thought-out from all standpoints. Has procedure and implementation been clearly defined and communicated. If carried out correctly, will this policy help your employees show your customer that he or she is highly valued? Is there room for review on a case-by-case basis or are your customer service agents "reading a script?" Are the people on the front lines given some autonomy to help the customer in the way that provides the highest rate of service?
   2. Staff training. Is the definition of quality customer service clearly defined for your staff? Has each representative been given specific instruction on how to provide a positive experience for a customer? Does every staff member know the clues that will help indicate the value set (temperament) of each customer (i.e. Can they communicate with a Green just as effectively as with a Blue?)?
   3. Staff attitude. The members of your staff typically provide the first impression of your company. Staff members who perceive themselves as valued will put forth a better impression than those who simply feel like a cog in a machine. Listening to ideas, providing ongoing training, incentives, clear expectations, autonomy, and follow-up are all ways to show how much you value your customer service staff.

Good customer service may start with a high quality product or service, but in the world of high competition from multiple sources, it surely doesn't end there. In order to build a successful customer service strategy, being proactive is the order of the day. Successful businesses know to pay attention to the details and to value each and every customer each and every time they connect. The bottom line? When all else is equal, customer service becomes the tiebreaker.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2124816

What is Customer Service to Online Business?

The chances are that your customer is coming to your online business in the first place to save time as well as money. Customer service is one area in which small or sole proprietor outshine giant stores and even well establish online competitors. It does not matter whether you are competing in the areas of e-trading, e-music or e-tail sales of any sort. Tools such as e-mail and forms as well as an online commerce site that can provide information on a 24 hours by 7 days basis, give you a powerful advantage when it comes to retaining customers and building customer loyalty.

The satisfaction customer is always informed customer that how we manage our customers expectation. So here are some of the ways or tools your e-commerce sites must have in order to be competitive in internet world.

1. FAQ page - It may not be the most elegant of concepts, but it h as worked for an infinite number of online business people and it will work for you. A set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) is a familiar feature on many online business sites - so familiar, in fact, that Web surfers expect to find a FAQ page on every business site.

2. Newsletter - You may define yourself as an online businessperson, not a newsletter editor. But sharing information with customers and potential customers through an e-mail newsletter is a great way to build credibility for yourself and your business.

3. Contact Us page - But being anonymous is not the way to go when you are running an online business. Of course, you do not have to promise to be available 24 hours by 7 days to your customers in the flesh. But they need to believe that they will get attention no matter what time of day or night. When you are online, contact information can take several forms.

4. Advance e-mail Features - An autoresponder is a computer program that automatically answers e-mail sent to it, can be setup to send automatic replies to requests for information about a product or service, or to respond to people subscribing to an e-mail publication or service. Beside, Setup a signature file is a good way to keep in touch with customer. A signature file or block is a block of text automatically appended at the bottom of an e-mail message, usenet article or forum post. You want your signature file to tell the readers of your message something about you and your business; you can include information such as your company name and how to contact you.

5. Personalize Attention to Customer - How often does an employee personally greet you as you walk through the door of a store? On the Web as well as in real life, people like a prompt and personal response. Your challenge is to provide someone on your web site who is available to provide live customer support. By providing online support to customer is definitely added edge to your online business.

In short, what constitutes good online customer service are being responsive and available as well as other essential components such as providing information, communicating effectively, and enabling your clientele to interact with you online become the must have tools in today online business.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4777770

Corporate Training - What is Customer Service?

The First thing we have to do is to define our goal. What is customer service? Once we can define it then we can pin point like a laser beam the direction and focus of your business.

After teaching hundreds of seminars, I have discovered that one of the best ways to discover this is by putting ourselves in our customers' shoes. If you were in their situation what would you want?

We are all customers. We all shop. We all go out to eat. And we are all patients.   So, what do you want?

Let's make two lists. On the first list, I want you to list all the things that tick you off as a customer. Things that irritate you. Things that drive you away from one business into the arms of another. 

The Things that Irritate Me as a Customer

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

What things did you write down in this category. You may have put down things such as rude attendants, having to wait a long time, and poor quality products and services. Let me mention one of my pit peeves. The Automated Phone System. You know what I am talking about. Those systems that say something like this, "If you want to talk to so and so then press 1, if you want to talk to so and so then press 2, etc..." Then, once you finally push a button what does it do to you? It sends you to another menu.

Finally, you reach a live person but what is your attitude like now? Your ticked, right? Many times, the systems we have in place to make our lives easier actually create ticked off customers and thus create havoc and stress in our own lives.

My family owns a company in Anderson, Indiana called the Bright Corp. What we do is sell papered products to the funeral industry. Hey, someone's got to do it. Actually, we are considered publishers for the funeral industry. Our main product line includes Register Books, Acknowledgement Cards, Memorial Folders, and Prayer Cards. I bring this up because if you were to call the Bright Corp. during business hours, you would get a live person. Why? Because my dad and my uncle are adamant about this. And they should be. You see, when my grandfather bought this business back around 1947, the business was housed in a garage. That is all the larger it was. My family built it up from the ground floor. Today, the company ships products all across United States and even a little beyond its borders. It has been built up by the personal relationship with each customer. 

Now, there are challenges of having a philosophy of answering the phone with a live person. The main challenge is that you have to have someone man the phone all during business hours. But, is it worth it? You can count on it. Many times, the things that irritate us as customers will irritate our own customers as well. We have to make sure we aren't putting up barriers between us and a relationship with our customers.

The Things I love as a Customer

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

You can have my pants

Let me share with you something I loved as a customer. A few years ago, I had a very strange experience on a speaking engagement in Indianapolis.   Since I was still living in Anderson, Indiana at the time, about 40 miles northeast of Indy, I decided I would grab one of my suits and drive down the night before and stay in the hotel where the seminar was going to be held the next day.

I was relaxing in my hotel room and something hit me---you better check your suit. I got up and walked to the closet in my hotel room. At first glance, the suit looked fine. After more detailed scrutiny, I realized I didn't have any pants. What happened to my pants? I knew I had pants when I left home. Where could they be? I then realized what had happened. I had carried my suit in a hanging bag from the cleaners. The type that has no bottom to it. My pants had fallen off the hanger somewhere between my home and the hotel room. 

What was I going to do without any pants? Well, I decided I had better look in the hotel. I went down to the parking garage and retraced my steps---no pants! I then went to the front desk and asked if anyone had found any pants. You can imagine the looks I got.
The hotel was a Hyatt Regency in downtown Indianapolis so it also had shops in it. I asked when the shops opened. Big Problem! Too late the next day to be of help to me. Then something amazing happened. I guy behind the front desk heard what was going on. He said, "I have some pants in the back. You can wear my pants." TALK ABOUT SERVICE! I wore this guy's pants all the next day.  They were a little big, but at least I had pants.

When is the last time you gave your pants to your customer? Not lately, huh!   Well, too bad. You see, look back at the story you just read. Do you see something in it? What was the name of the hotel I was staying at? It is there, isn't it? I have no problem (in fact, I love to do it) boosting up the business of Hyatt Hotels. The truth of the matter is that you don't have a problem either. Word of mouth advertising is the best kind of advertising and it starts with great service. 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1728934

What is Customer Service? Ten More Things to Remember!

Ask yourself why you love your favorite restaurant. Chances are that you frequent a restaurant because they offer great food and a warm ambiance. Comfortable seating and good lighting are important factors also. But what exactly is customer service? Do retailers even know the answer? Is it the warm and friendly greeting, the good food, the charming atmosphere or the comfortable seating? Of course, the successful retailer knows that the answer is all of the above. If you are starting a new business, ensure that your customer service strategy integrates all aspects of your business - staffing, product merchandising, convenience, comfort, store policies and after sales. Because being nice isn't enough!
Ten more points to remember about customer service:
1. Knowledgeable staff - cheerful and informed - knowing the product is paramount - informed about how the product works; how the item is made and its care; informed about the suppliers; informed about the store policies and its values; informed solutions to customer's needs and wants; gives expert advice and gift suggestions. If knowledge is power, then empower your staff!
2. Signage - legible price tags and sizing labels - can the customer find the item easily; can the customer "reach" the item and if not, does the signage inform the customer of options. Don't forget that signage is the silent salesperson.
3. Selection of product - is there depth and breadth? And if not, is the retailer willing to special order for the customer? Does the customer know this? Or does the customer just walk out of the store when the item isn't readily available?
4. Presentation of the product - is the merchandise presented attractively? Does the presentation tell a story? In other words, does the presentation make a "sales pitch"? Can the customer access the item? Is there a flow to the placement of the product? Does the placement make sense to the customer?
5. Is the customer comfortable and at ease in the store? Is the lighting sufficient? Is the music too loud? Are the aisles wide enough for wheelchairs and baby strollers? Are there seating areas for tired customers? Does the dressing room have a sufficiently-sized mirror? Hooks? Seat? Does the dressing room door lock? Adults may prefer that the door locks, but mothers of small children would prefer not! Does the new mother have an area to change her baby's diaper? Does the retailer have diapers for that new mother? (Complimentary, of course!)
6. Is "Point of Sale" efficient? - correctly fill out invoices, and check credit cards and handle cash - efficiently - as errors inconvenience the customer and waste time. Has the customer been offered complimentary gift wrap and/or enclosure card? Has the customer been asked to sign the mailing list? Does the customer know the store's return policy? Has the customer been informed of upcoming sales and promotions? Always ensure that errors are corrected as soon as possible and at the store's expense. Anticipate the customer's lack of time (lunch hour, on coffee break, children close by and crying, etc.) and help process the sale as quickly and efficiently as possible.
7. After sale - returns - the savvy retailer knows that to compete with the big box stores a flexible and generous return policy is a must! Handle all complaints by asking the customer, "How can I make this right for you!"
8. Flexible store hours - store hours should reflect the customer's lifestyle NOT the retailer's. Those cutesy signs informing the customer that the store owner is "here some days, but not on other days" is annoying to say the least, detrimental at most.
9. Special extras - most retailers assume that the "extra mile" is what customer service is all about. And it is. Unfortunately, most retailers forget about the first mile. The extra mile is all about smiles, and thank you. Extra phone calls, specialty items, special orders, flowers on the counter, coffee for customers, free add-ons, pretty packaging. But the first mile is about the "bones of the business". It is what your business plan is all about. It's what you told the bank manager at your initial visit. It's about the "how." How will the merchandise look in the store? Where will it be placed? How deep will the shelves be? How many sweaters on each shelf? How many colours and what sizes? Where will the cash register go? How long will the counter be? (because a short counter cannot service the customer well) How many dressing rooms will there be? The savvy retailer knows that the answers to these above questions are all part of the "customer service driven" business.
10. The long good-bye! Retailers often "forget" to say thank-you and goodbye. This is a great oversight. This is an opportunity to shine. A simple "thanks for shopping with us" goes a long way to goodwill and ensuring that the customer feels appreciated. In fact, a savvy retailer always greets his customers and when leaving "shows them to the door". (After all, isn't that what a good host would do!) Ensure that a sign is placed on the door that reads, "Thank you and come again!" (Needless to say, carry packages to the car.)
Superior customer service drives the customer's trust and respect which leads to a long-term relationship. Increased sales, increased market share, increased profits - everything flows from superior customer service! So the next time you ask "what is customer service", remember the key strategies that make a business are all integrated and become the "how" of customer service.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/333178

What Does Customer Service Mean to Your Customer? - Bridge the Gap

If you ask any small business person if they give good customer service, you will get between 85 and 90% of them claiming that they give great service, in fact, they'll tell you they give the best service of all their competition in the industry. Well, I'm here to tell you that's mostly baloney. Let me tell you why, and let me explain how I came to this reality and FACT. I say fact because this is not perspective based thinking, it is what I know to be true from observations, experience, and my knowledge of the market place.

You see, before retirement I ran a franchise company and when we went into a new market we would survey the customers of our competitions locations. We would ask customers if they thought customer service was good in the establishment they just walked out of. They didn't know us from Adam, they didn't know if we were related to the business owner, if we were competition, or if we were just customers who wanted to know if the customer service was good there before we purchased anything.

What we found out is most customers were not happy with the businesses they shopped at, but rather they shopped at those businesses because there was no competition, or the competition was worse, thus, they had chosen the lesser of two evils, kind of like how we vote for politicians in America. This is a warning to all business owners. It doesn't matter what you think of your customer service, it matters what you are customer thinks of your customer service. And the reality is you need to bridge that gap.

The only way to do this is to survey your customers, perhaps using a third-party. Find out what they like and dislike, or get suggestions from your customers on how you can improve customer service. Now, it may burst your bubble to find out what your customers really think, but it will make you a better business person, that I guarantee. Please consider all this.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3265546