December 5, 2019 — The period from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day can be hectic — filled with shopping, visiting, and celebrations of all kinds. So how do you keep your focus on customers when you’re wondering about what to get Aunt Millie for Christmas and where to seat Uncle Joe for New Year’s brunch?…Continue reading
November 21, 2019 — According to authors Val and Jeff Gee, the best way to get customers to comply with your requests is to have them commit to the action by saying "yes." In general, people feel the need to make their actions consistent with their words. A study of the language used to confirm…Continue reading
November 7, 2019 — In the November issue of Customer Communicator newsletter, Jon Gordon, author of The Energy Bus and others, shares techniques to maintain a positive attitude at work. It’s all about focusing on your purpose. Or as he says, "remember why you do what you do." Defining your purpose may require a bit of a mental shift.…Continue reading
April 18, 2019 — Sometimes a customer gets upset, for no apparent reason, right in the middle of a conversation. How do you get back to the subject at hand without minimizing the outburst or its causes? According to Robert Bacal, author of Perfect Phrases for Customer Service, the secret to getting a customer back on…Continue reading
April 4, 2019 — There are several basic steps to better listening. And it all starts with recognizing what’s involved. "Exceptional listening requires concentration, effort, and a thoughtful response," says author Joe Takash, "It means you must work at listening with your head and heart and not just with your ears." The April issue of Customer…Continue reading
March 21, 2019 — Handling difficult customer interactions can take a physical toll on your body. So Craig Harrison, author of Stellar Service!, recommends that frontline reps take a physical approach to counteracting stress. Here are two techniques for releasing stress and tension in the shoulders, neck and upper back. Yes, no, maybe, I don’t know. As…Continue reading
March 7, 2019 — When working with customers, over the phone, in person, or online, it’s important that frontline reps choose the right words. Words that convey a desire to help, words that demonstrate confidence and ability, words that soothe and reassure. Choosing the right words is especially important when dealing with an angry or…Continue reading
February 21, 2019 — As service providers, your team members must consistently deliver a positive customer experience — "power postures" can help. By practicing power postures, coach and author Akash Kaira says you can improve your mood and project a more positive image to customers, coworkers, and others. In a power posture, you expand the…Continue reading
February 7, 2019 — There’s a lot of negativity in the world, from the nightly news to entertainment programs that trade on sarcasm and cynicism. There can also be negativity in the workplace — especially the customer service workplace. Noted author and trainer JoAnna Brandi has focused on the importance of maintaining a positive attitude…Continue reading
January 24, 2019 — Getting the apology right can make the difference in service recovery. In the January issue of Customer Communicator, the newsletter for frontline customer service reps, experts weigh in with recommendations for successful service recovery. Their techniques include a well-worded apology. But not all apologies are created equal. Recent research finds that the…Continue reading
