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
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Take Care of Yourself Before You Take Care of Your Customer

    One of the most important questions people ask when they... Read More

    You Bever Know Who Youre Serving

    You Never Know Who You're Serving when customers turn irate.I... Read More

    Clients... and 38 ways to communicate with them

    As Alan Weiss (guru to the savvy consultant) says: "It... Read More

    Customer Service - A Lost Art?

    Is customer service a lost art? Before you answer that... Read More

    Is your Online Business Customer-Friendly?

    Customer service is increasingly seen as one of the most... Read More

    Customer Service A Chickens Way

    Anyone who knows me knows my favorite fast food restaurant... Read More

    Make An Action Plan To Improve Customer Service

    Customer Service is a critical factor for keeping your clients... Read More

    Losing Angry Customers

    This article offers five ways to help you deal with... Read More

    Create Win-Win Deals With Your Competitors

    In the competitive world of the 20th century, we generally... Read More

    Making The Most Of Newsletters

    Newsletters can be wonderful tools for communicating with your customers... Read More

    Customer Service Tips for Mail Order Businesses

    Can we be too good to our customers?... Read More

    Becoming A Solution To Your Customers Problems

    Those of us in home based and small businesses are... Read More

    Cultivating the Trust Factor

    In today's highly competitive economy, it is difficult to maintain... Read More

    The 7 Principles of Business Integrity

    If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't... Read More

    Breaking the Ice and Winning Over the Client!

    Wherever you turn these days you'll find articles covering every... Read More

    Boomerang Customers- What You Might NOT Think Brings Them Back!

    With all of the calendars and PDA's and lists I... Read More

    The death of customer servie

    The other day a reporter call to interview me on... Read More

    Top 10 customer service tips

    1. Hire people who have a service attitude. Some people... Read More

    Listening: The Foundation of Communication

    Listening is the #1 communication skill for leadership, selling, customer... Read More

    Ten Ways to Help You Improve Your Customer Service

    1. Stay in contact with customers on a regular basis.... Read More

    Handling Angry Clients

    What do you do when your client gets mad at... Read More

    Be the Customer: See Yourself as Your Customers Do

    What do your customers experience when they interact with your... Read More

    The 3 Rs of Customer Service

    What I am about to tell you may seem very... Read More

    What?s in a Name?

    Different people call their Customers by different names. If they... Read More

    Marketing as a Spiritual Practice

    "Marketing as a spiritual practice." It sounds contradictory ? how... Read More