|
Home::Customer Service
Take Care of Yourself Before You Take Care of Your Customer
Author : Eric Plantenberg
One of the most important questions people ask when they are focused on improving their quantity and quality of business is: “What is my competitive advantage? What makes me unique, memorable, special… what truly sets me apart from the rest?"
While there are no definitively right answers to that question, most people come to some conclusion that customer service is a critical component of your competitive advantage. For most businesses, the service they offer can vary from exceptional to not so hot, depending upon circumstances.
Why is that? Why does the same company, and even the same people within that company provide world class service some of the time, and marginal service (or worse) other times?
That answer can be found in asking a different question: “What makes you (or your staff) happy when serving your customers?” While these answers also vary, most people come up with some sort of variation of “I am happy when my customer is happy.”
Do we enjoy dealing with agitated or disgruntled people? Normally not. We derive our joy from delivering value, by making others feel good about their experience, and by exceeding people’s expectations.
What comes first then? The happy customer or the happy person serving the customer? This is not the chicken or the egg quandary. The happy person serving the customer NEEDS to come first, because it is a very unusual day when your customer comes into your business looking to cheer YOU up.
This all seems very obvious. At the same time that many people realize this truth, it is rare that people consciously take steps to make sure that their greatest customer service assets are being serviced too - whether that person in on your staff, in another department, or if that person is YOU. It is critical that you continually improve the emotional, physical and mental support you are supplying to the people serving your customers.
One of my friends and colleagues, Paul Wesselemann, shared a story about his time working at an HIV/AIDS support network. He explained how it was absolutely unacceptable to come to work when you were feeling even a bit ill, as even the smallest cold could be extremely dangerous for someone with HIV. He was REQUIRED first and foremost to take care of himself, make sure he was 100% before he was allowed to offer help and support to others.
How committed are you to taking the same care of YOUR needs? Your task for the month is to identify and act upon a couple of ways to keep you in proper shape so you can take care of your always important customers.
Eric Plantenberg, President of Freedom Speakers and Trainers, currently trains professionals across the country in memory, goal setting, attitude, time management, and effective communications. His newest program, P.A.C.T., is an intensive one-on-one twelve week personal coaching program designed for those who are serious about their success. Please click here for more information on Eric http://www.deliverfreedom.com/speakers_eric.html or Freedom Speakers and Trainers http://www.deliverfreedom.com
Call 888-233-0407 x112 email eric@deliverfreedom.com Spam emails More free articles Related articles
|
More related feeds |
Crunch The Credit Crunch! — by PHIL STACEY
You will either be buying the items at a reduced price and have it shipped to you. You then sell the items from your own online business and make a ‘mark up’ on the item yourself and take the difference. So, for example, you might be ...How To Make A Tidy Business Saving (For The Lazy) If you’re a ...
The savvy small business people know it costs far less to keep customers. Just a simple letter, keeping in touch, and showing you care, can slash the client losses. Compare that to the glossy brochures, advertising and sales/marketing ... Perfect Partnering Pitches
The benefits for you are these and these benefits. All you would have to do to participate is this and this. I will take care of the rest, such as announcing your involvement in my blog, at my website and in my newsletter, ... Five concrete things you can do to prepare for harder times
When Jason’s son was born with health problems, it was pretty quickly obvious to me that Jason was in a very tough spot and that he might need to leave Wesabe to take care of his family. I didn’t know for sure, and I knew it would take ... Did Ya'all Enjoy the Party?
Don't spend more than you take in. Hopefully, you practice this in your day to day life. Why should representing those who elected you be any different? 4. You can't make everyone's life better. You have an obligation to take care of ... Write Articles - Edit As You Go Checklist
Show them you care. Include questions about where they are now that your article will answer.2. Make your hook only a few sentences.Make it rich with key words and phrases.Your readers want to get to the heart of your article fast. ... How To Choose The Best Affiliate Products — by JO MARK
They provide you with a product to sell right away and you don’t have to concern yourself with any of the details. They take care of developing the product, the payment procedure, delivering the product, and all customer issues. Your ... How To Get Even With Wall Street II
The thesis is this: Wall Street and Big Corporations do not care about you, where you live, your family, your friends, your neighbours, or what you do. This is obvious, as the $700 billion dollar bailout shows. That’s where we’re coming ... An Introduction to Making Money Online With Network Marketing
The difference is how you market your business. Once you start your business, do what you say you will do and build your integrity. Be honest and take care of your customers and you will build a good reputation. ... 31 Ways to Save on Health Care and Medical Costs
Use a discount card at pharmacies, if available-Some pharmacies offer a discount card if you are a regular customer or don’t have other prescription coverage. Ask if your pharmacy has a program and take advantage of it if they do. ...
|
|
|
