Teri's Tip #19

Three simple steps to make customers happy and deliver great service:

1.  Be friendly
2.  Be helpful
3.  Be knowledgeable

If you can do these three things, you will stay eons ahead of your competition.


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Teri's Tip #18

When hiring a new employee, look for customer service friendly people.  It is much easier to train someone on the mechanics of the job vs. trying to train them to be friendly and courteous.

Watch for the following in the interview:
Does the applicant make appropriate eye contact?
Does the applicant demonstrate appropriate enthusiasm?
Does the applicant smile often?
Does the applicant use positive, upbeat language?



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Teri's Tip # 17

When things go wrong, the first question should not be "Who messed up?"  The question to be asked is:  "What went wrong in the process and how can we make sure it won't happen again?"  Quality and continuous improvement drives the organization to not repeat the same error over and over again.

Great customer service doesn't want to disappoint one customer.

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Teri's Tip #16

Listening to customers helps to understand their needs better.  Through active listening, a business can determine how they can best help the customer.  Listening makes customers feel important and leaves them with the feeling that you care.  It keeps them coming back.  http://bit.ly/aCAxVK

Three steps to Active Listening:
1.  Focus
2.  Acknowledge
3.  Rephrase


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Teri's Tip #15

Using energy and enthusiasm in your voice communicates confidence.  Confidance translates into TRUST for your customers.  Customers want to hear someone who is speaking in a voice that sounds strong.  Put more effort into your voice tone, inflection and level especially over the phone. 

Remember, it's the little things that make a difference in delivering excellent customer service.



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Teri's Tip #14

Raving customers are potential referrals for your business.  Three simple steps:

1.  Listen and make certain you both agree on what the customer really wants
2.  Deliver what was promised
3.  Create an experience in the delivery that makes the customer feel important and special.

Read more at http://teriyanovitch.blogspot.com/


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Teri's Tip #13

Try customizing and incorporating Jet Blue's version of "Jetitude" into your employees' attitudes.  They usually hold the number one spot in customer service among the value airlines.  And they recently posted profit up 50% for second quarter 2010!

1.  Always be in the blue
2.  Be personal
3.  Attempt to solve a problem right away
4.  Be engaging
5.  Be thankful to every customer

Attitudes are contagious and can be passed along throughout the entire customer experience.  Read more
 http://bit.ly/cunq5x 


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Teri's Tip # 12

Recognize that all employees are different and are motivated by various means.  Baby boomers are driven to act the way they do because of the era they lived in and the environment.  Generation Y employees are motivated in different ways from them because of the times they have grown up in and the environment.  Stop, study and talk to your employees to better understand what they see as important to delivering great customer service.

For more tips on how to handle your Generation Y employees, check out The Service Coach blog on this topic.


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Teri's Tip #11

It's the little things you do that help to build customer loyalty.  Listen, observe and anticipate your customer's needs.

Becoming  truly customer focused, will build relationships that will keep your customers coming back time and time again. 

http://www.retainloyalcustomers.com/

Teri's Tip #10

Smiling is contagious.  It is one of the best ways to create a positive impression.  No one wants to interact with a grumpy, cranky or sad person.  While you may sometimes feel that way, remember when you are at work, you are always "on stage".

Customers really don't care that you don't feel well or happy.  They expect you to look like you enjoy your job and enjoy being where you are.  So, put on a smile and maybe it will make you feel better too!


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