Customer service reps who are "welcomers" make people feel important, appreciated, and valued as a customer and as a person. But not everyone is a natural welcomer. If you fall into that category, be alert to opportunities to welcome new customers to your organization. Richard R. Shapiro, author of The Welcomer Edge says that there are certain…Continue reading
Body language is essential when working with customers face-to-face. But even on the phone, body language is important, says Sharon Sayler, the author of What Your Body Says (And How to Master the Message). "We should be aware of our own body language because we send messages unconsciously all the time, even over the phone. And…Continue reading
Empathy builds a relationship between the customer and the rep that can enhance customer service, increase customer satisfaction, and boost loyalty. This week, service expert Maxine Kamin shares examples of how to respond with empathy to five common customer emotions: Anger: “I can hear that you are angry about ....” Disappointment: “You must be disappointed…Continue reading
Voice trainer Jay Miller, encourages frontline reps to focus on voice quality for greater clarity and improved customer service. One of the most common problems that he sees is rapid-fire speech. "Some people feel that speaking quickly makes them sound knowledgeable and that it moves the conversation along quickly," says Miller. "Unfortunately, the exact opposite…Continue reading
If the language you and your coworkers use to talk about customers and your work is predominantly negative you’re probably contributing to your overall stress levels as a result. What can you do about it? JoAnna Brandi of JoAnna Brandi & Company offers this solution: Spend a week paying close attention to the language that…Continue reading
"It’s important to be consistent with customers," says author Naomi Karten. "Once a customer’s expectation is set through an experience, that forms their new service expectation until it’s shifted again." So, for example, if a customer comes to a frontline rep with a request that your organization typically would not meet or provide, and in…Continue reading
To boost camaraderie and build team spirit during Customer Service Week, try the Team Ball. Toss it, catch it, look under your thumb and answer the question or respond to the prompt. It’s a fun and engaging way to get teams talking about what makes the team work and what can make it work even…Continue reading Continue reading
When there is silence on a service call, customers tend to get concerned: Are you still there?What are you doing? Will you return to the call? To keep the customer from worrying, explainwhat you are doing throughout the contact. For example, you might say: “I’m waiting for your order to process, and then I can…Continue reading
It’s often counterproductive to respond to customers before they have finished speaking. Even if you think you know how to help, you may not have gotten the whole story, says Stephen Boyd, author of Emphatic Listening. To get the whole story, he suggests these five tips: • Talk less and listen more. • Encourage the…Continue reading
Customer service trainer Renée Evenson reminds frontline reps to apply their telephone skills to the written word. “Effective communication is the same whether you speak or write yourmessage,” she says. But sometimes courtesy gets lost in the written word. When responding via email, social media, or chat, remember to use the same phrases of assurance…Continue reading
