Tags |
|
|
Links |
|
|
Casual Articles - How to be a Better Customer
The Pink Sheets. Pink Sheets stocks. The Pinks. Everyone seems to be talking about trading shares on this penny stock listing service and the chatter is only going to get louder once the Pink Sheets’ OTC QX division becomes fully functional. With all the buzz surrounding the Pink Sheets many people are asking themselves if they should check out investing in this market. Rumors abound in on-line chat rooms like Raging Bull about fortunes being made by those who trade in the smallest of small caps. Is it possible? Is it true? Is there something about the Pink Sheets that make it different fro
7. If appropriate, commiserate with the service provider. Some people can’t help letting their frustration show. They may be upset by a previous customer or by some aspect of their work: a slow computer, high call volume, overwhelming response, pressure from managers or even personal events at home.
When you hear a word or tone of upset from your service provider, be the one to soothe them. I simply say, ‘Sorry to hear things are a bit frustrating for you’, and then I repeat, ‘I really appreciate your help.’ This is so powerful! After empathizing with their frustration, I’ve had service providers go an extra hundred miles to ensure my servi
With the large number of cleaning businesses out there, how do you get your company to stand out? Being a professional in all aspects of your cleaning business will go a long way towards showing your customers and potential customers that you are serious about doing the best job that you can do. Do you have the background, knowledge and experience to become a professional? You bet! Doing the best job that you can do and having a professional attitude is what it takes to show your clients you go that extra step.There are several factors that come to mind when you think of being a prof
The flip side is also true. If you are an appreciative and considerate customer, service providers will tend to serve you better. If you rant and rave and pound the table, people serve you grudgingly, if at all.
Great training programs (like ‘UP Your Service College’®) can help create better customer service providers. But there’s little training on how you can be a better customer!
Here’s a list of tips I use to be a better customer and to enjoy receiving better service:
1. Always be appreciative and polite. Remember, there is a fellow human being on the other end of your telephone call, e-mail message or just across the counter. I begin the service interaction with a quick comment: ‘Hi. Thank you for helping me. I really appreciate it.’ (This takes about two seconds.)
2. Get the service provider’s name, and then use it. I make it short and friendly by asking, ‘Who am I speaking with please?’ or if we are face-to-face, simply ‘May I know your name?’ Once they tell me, I repeat it with a smile on my face and in my voice. ‘Hello (name here). My name is Ron.’ This creates a personal connection. (It takes about four seconds.)
3. Be ‘UP’ in your own energy (if you can). Many service providers face customer after customer...all day long. The routine can be a drag. When one customer appears with a genuine smile and positive energy to spare, he or she stands out for special care and treatment. You can be that special customer. Let your enthusiasm be contagious.
4. Give your details the way your service provider asks for them. Every service professional has a preferred way of gathering data that fits their forms, computer screen or procedures. Have all your information ready to go, but give it in the order he or she prefers.
Simply say, ‘I have my name, customer number, invoice number, telephone, address and product details ready. Which would you like first?’ This lets the service provider know you are prepared and efficient to work with. They appreciate that and can show their appreciation through better service rendered to you. (The time you take getting everything in order will save you even more time once you are in the service conversation.)
5. Check each step along the way. Simply repeat or paraphrase what the service provider states or promises to do. This allows you to progress together step-by-step through the service process and catch any questions or misunderstandings early on. Small changes can be made quickly and more easily as you go along, than if you wait until everything has been concluded.
6. Confirm next steps. Be sure you understand what will happen next: what they will do, what you should do and what you can both expect from each other. Confirm dates, times, amounts, promises, responsibilities and obligations. Write down whatever you agree on, and ask that a confirmation be sent to you by e-mail, hard copy or fax. When the confirmation arrives, check it carefully to ensure everything is written as agreed.
7. If appropriate, commiserate with the service provider. Some people can’t help letting their frustration show. They may be upset by a previous customer or by some aspect of their work: a slow computer, high call volume, overwhelming response, pressure from managers or even personal events at home.
When you hear a word or tone of upset from your service provider, be the one to soothe them. I simply say, ‘Sorry to hear things are a bit frustrating for you’, and then I repeat, ‘I really appreciate your help.’ This is so powerful! After empathizing with their frustration, I’ve had service providers go an extra hundred miles to ensure my servic
When you are taking time away from work for motherhood, keep networking. The single most important thing you can do is keep in touch with former co-workers and other contacts. Are you a mom preparing to return to the workforce? Are you worried about filling the gaps on your resume? Assuming that while fulfilling your parental role, you were volunteering your expertise, and engaging (when time permitted) in activities related to your profession, there's no reason to worry, you've got skills! This article offers tips to help you with your transition.Dust off your r?sum?. Once you have
2. Get the service provider’s name, and then use it. I make it short and friendly by asking, ‘Who am I speaking with please?’ or if we are face-to-face, simply ‘May I know your name?’ Once they tell me, I repeat it with a smile on my face and in my voice. ‘Hello (name here). My name is Ron.’ This creates a personal connection. (It takes about four seconds.)
3. Be ‘UP’ in your own energy (if you can). Many service providers face customer after customer...all day long. The routine can be a drag. When one customer appears with a genuine smile and positive energy to spare, he or she stands out for special care and treatment. You can be that special customer. Let your enthusiasm be contagious.
4. Give your details the way your service provider asks for them. Every service professional has a preferred way of gathering data that fits their forms, computer screen or procedures. Have all your information ready to go, but give it in the order he or she prefers.
Simply say, ‘I have my name, customer number, invoice number, telephone, address and product details ready. Which would you like first?’ This lets the service provider know you are prepared and efficient to work with. They appreciate that and can show their appreciation through better service rendered to you. (The time you take getting everything in order will save you even more time once you are in the service conversation.)
5. Check each step along the way. Simply repeat or paraphrase what the service provider states or promises to do. This allows you to progress together step-by-step through the service process and catch any questions or misunderstandings early on. Small changes can be made quickly and more easily as you go along, than if you wait until everything has been concluded.
6. Confirm next steps. Be sure you understand what will happen next: what they will do, what you should do and what you can both expect from each other. Confirm dates, times, amounts, promises, responsibilities and obligations. Write down whatever you agree on, and ask that a confirmation be sent to you by e-mail, hard copy or fax. When the confirmation arrives, check it carefully to ensure everything is written as agreed.
7. If appropriate, commiserate with the service provider. Some people can’t help letting their frustration show. They may be upset by a previous customer or by some aspect of their work: a slow computer, high call volume, overwhelming response, pressure from managers or even personal events at home.
When you hear a word or tone of upset from your service provider, be the one to soothe them. I simply say, ‘Sorry to hear things are a bit frustrating for you’, and then I repeat, ‘I really appreciate your help.’ This is so powerful! After empathizing with their frustration, I’ve had service providers go an extra hundred miles to ensure my servi
Imagine if a business invested years into the research, design, and creation of a new product, and then failed to tell anybody about it. What if the company assumed (even expected) that consumers should discover their new product, just because it was ???great???? Flawed logic, right? Yet, that??™s how many people treat their careers! They spend years learning a trade, gaining education, and writing resumes - but do nothing to promote themselves. In fact, they assume others should recognize them just because they show up and do a good job. What they don??™t assume is accountability for
4. Give your details the way your service provider asks for them. Every service professional has a preferred way of gathering data that fits their forms, computer screen or procedures. Have all your information ready to go, but give it in the order he or she prefers.
Simply say, ‘I have my name, customer number, invoice number, telephone, address and product details ready. Which would you like first?’ This lets the service provider know you are prepared and efficient to work with. They appreciate that and can show their appreciation through better service rendered to you. (The time you take getting everything in order will save you even more time once you are in the service conversation.)
5. Check each step along the way. Simply repeat or paraphrase what the service provider states or promises to do. This allows you to progress together step-by-step through the service process and catch any questions or misunderstandings early on. Small changes can be made quickly and more easily as you go along, than if you wait until everything has been concluded.
6. Confirm next steps. Be sure you understand what will happen next: what they will do, what you should do and what you can both expect from each other. Confirm dates, times, amounts, promises, responsibilities and obligations. Write down whatever you agree on, and ask that a confirmation be sent to you by e-mail, hard copy or fax. When the confirmation arrives, check it carefully to ensure everything is written as agreed.
7. If appropriate, commiserate with the service provider. Some people can’t help letting their frustration show. They may be upset by a previous customer or by some aspect of their work: a slow computer, high call volume, overwhelming response, pressure from managers or even personal events at home.
When you hear a word or tone of upset from your service provider, be the one to soothe them. I simply say, ‘Sorry to hear things are a bit frustrating for you’, and then I repeat, ‘I really appreciate your help.’ This is so powerful! After empathizing with their frustration, I’ve had service providers go an extra hundred miles to ensure my servi
If you want to be cost effective with your trade show exhibitions or if you are preparing for your first trade show, you should choose cheap trade show displays for the best deal. Trade shows are effective sales devices for growing business, and most new enterprises are not financially strong enough to spend a large amount on an elaborate trade show display, so opting for a cheap display is a good idea. Don't try to produce a do-it-yourself display, instead, look for experts who can produce cost effective trade show displays that fit your budget.There are many ways to get cheap trade
5. Check each step along the way. Simply repeat or paraphrase what the service provider states or promises to do. This allows you to progress together step-by-step through the service process and catch any questions or misunderstandings early on. Small changes can be made quickly and more easily as you go along, than if you wait until everything has been concluded.
6. Confirm next steps. Be sure you understand what will happen next: what they will do, what you should do and what you can both expect from each other. Confirm dates, times, amounts, promises, responsibilities and obligations. Write down whatever you agree on, and ask that a confirmation be sent to you by e-mail, hard copy or fax. When the confirmation arrives, check it carefully to ensure everything is written as agreed.
7. If appropriate, commiserate with the service provider. Some people can’t help letting their frustration show. They may be upset by a previous customer or by some aspect of their work: a slow computer, high call volume, overwhelming response, pressure from managers or even personal events at home.
When you hear a word or tone of upset from your service provider, be the one to soothe them. I simply say, ‘Sorry to hear things are a bit frustrating for you’, and then I repeat, ‘I really appreciate your help.’ This is so powerful! After empathizing with their frustration, I’ve had service providers go an extra hundred miles to ensure my servi
The idea of fire branding customers comes from my grand daughter, Taylor. She applied a tattoo to her shoulder and was pleased as she displayed a small peace symbol about the size of a peanut. Each time I looked at her shoulder, I was reminded of the little symbol and what it meant. It made me think about how great it would be to fire brand customers with my business name. I thought of countless ways of placing my logo around the world to spread the right image.I realized that several companies are fire branding their image everyday. All I have to do is see a red and blue swirl and
7. If appropriate, commiserate with the service provider. Some people can’t help letting their frustration show. They may be upset by a previous customer or by some aspect of their work: a slow computer, high call volume, overwhelming response, pressure from managers or even personal events at home.
When you hear a word or tone of upset from your service provider, be the one to soothe them. I simply say, ‘Sorry to hear things are a bit frustrating for you’, and then I repeat, ‘I really appreciate your help.’ This is so powerful! After empathizing with their frustration, I’ve had service providers go an extra hundred miles to ensure my service experience had no frustration at all.
8. Finally, show real appreciation. A warm ‘thank you’ over the phone or in person is always appropriate. If your service provider deserves more, give more. A nicely written compliment to the organization can make a huge difference in someone’s day, or in their career.
And who knows? The one you praise may serve you again another day with the same pleasure, efficiency and delight.
Key Learning Point
Service is a two-way street. The traffic of goodwill flows equally between customers and service providers. Don’t wait for someone else to make your day. Be the customer who shines with preparation and appreciation. The service you receive will be the reward you deserve.
Action Steps
The next time you need service, bring the best of yourself to the interaction. If you want good things to come to you, start the ball rolling by extending goodwill to others.
HTTP = HTML link (for blogs, profiles,phorums):
<a href="http://www.casualarticles.com/article/14888/casualarticles-How-to-be-a-Better-Customer.html">How to be a Better Customer</a>
BB link (for phorums):
[url=http://www.casualarticles.com/article/14888/casualarticles-How-to-be-a-Better-Customer.html]How to be a Better Customer[/url]
Related Articles:
Power Teams and Information Collection
5 Characteristics of a Dynamic Loan Processor
A Tough Lesson - Customer Service Tips
Bookmark it:
|