It always makes smart business sense to give
high quality customer service, especially in tough times. We’ve listed some
proven principles that you can use for improving your customer service quality.
Understand that
customer expectations change
Your customers’ expectations are likely to
rise and change over a period of time. What worked last year might not be good
enough at present. Use interviews, focus groups, and customer surveys to figure
out customer needs accurately. Try to understand their thoughts regarding what
they feel they’re not getting from your business.
Use superior customer
service quality to get an edge
Even though your products are great and your
delivery systems efficient, it’s quite likely that your competitors’ offerings
are great too. So how can you get an edge? Make a long lasting difference through
personalized and responsive customer service quality. Customers should feel
that you’re ready to go an extra mile for them and they’ll appreciate you for
it - and not forget about it soon.
Improve customer
service quality in a sustained manner
Try to go beyond basic service levels and pleasantly
surprise customers with the interactions they wish for but don’t really expect.
Generally determine your industry’s customer service quality and figure out how
you can offer something better. Offer more options and flexibility than is
normal. Try to be above average in terms of delivery speeds and product
warranties.
Your customers will appreciate your high
standards. Eventually, competitors will also match the steps. So keep up the
pace and try to step up service quality in a sustained way.
Strike the right balance
Try to manage customer expectations in the best
possible way. You need to strike a balance between their expectations and what you
can deliver.
A great way to do so is by creating a good reputation.
Make clear promises and deliver accordingly. Once you have your customers’ trust,
even when you cannot service requests right away, they will be willing to be
patient most of the time.
Make amends
effectively
Things may go wrong sometimes. In such cases, try
to quickly set things right and demonstrate high quality customer service. Display
sincere concern for any inconvenience or frustration. Go a step ahead with something positive like a
gift or a discount coupon for future use.
Treat complaining customers as business
building aids
It’s a fact that customers having complaints can
offer new insights to your business. They point out the faulty areas of your
system and weak, problematic procedures. Through them, you know which of your
products and services are below par.
They prove to be vital aids to building a
strong business by highlighting areas in which your competitors score better or
your staff is lacking. You can regard complainers as free consultants who help
you raise your customer service quality!
Take
responsibility
Blaming other members and departments for
shortfalls does not help. No point blaming computers, the budget, or the system
either. In fact, this makes things worse. The customer is not interested in
your internal problems; he wants a solution to HIS problems. Just focus on
ending your customer’s pain as soon as possible and make the required changes.
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