Usman Ghani (January 14, 2016)
The success of your business depends on how well you serve your customers. Implementing the right customer service skills not only results in happy and loyal customers who keep coming back to your business, it also increases chances of them spreading positive word about your company. Your business should make customers feel privileged by giving them the royal treatment so that they always choose you over your competitors. Following are some tips that will help you achieve that!
A study by NewVoice, reveals that 53% of customers who don’t feel valued switch brands. Therefore, serve your customers in the same manner as you would want to be treated if you were a customer. Go out of your way to make them feel appreciated. Always remember that giving every customer equal respect is essential, even if there are customers who may be difficult to please. For example, an angry customer calls and complains that he/she was sold a substandard product and you offer to replace it immediately. However, if the client demands a refund, you need to understand that he/she has rightfully raised a grievance. Do not respond forcefully and keep your tone polite. Apologize and show consideration by fulfilling his/her requirement without any delay. Follow up with the customer afterwards and thank him/her. Never forget your purpose of operating a business and always be kind to customers.
Appreciate your customers for doing business with you. Give a little something extra to delight them. Little gestures such as greeting them warmly, giving them undivided attention and rewarding them with small gifts and loyalty cards can make your customers feel special. You can also give them special recognition on social media by mentioning them in posts on your Facebook page or featuring a specific client with a ‘customer of the month’ award. Doing so enables you to develop a personal connection with clients and it makes them confident that they can always expect a high standard of service from your company.
Make every effort to deliver consistent and memorable service to clients. It plays a significant role in influencing customers’ decision on whether they should buy from your brand again or try your competitors’ offerings the next time they plan to purchase the same products and services. In this case, you need to employ different strategies that will delight your customers and create an impeccable impression on them. For instance, if you manage a café you could offer free welcome drinks and ensure that your staff remembers customers’ names and personal preferences etc. By doing so, you can personalize your service and create an unforgettable experience.
Enabling customers to get the most out of their money is vital for success in business. You can add value by introducing new products, adding extra features to your current offerings, lowering your prices etc. Customers feel satisfied when the products and services you offer are worth more than the price they pay for them. Provide them with free delivery, installation or after-sales services to make them even happier. Also, ensure that your products/services are easy to use and are better in comparison to the competition.
Customers don’t like to be left waiting. Always serve customers immediately and don’t waste their time because of negligence, inefficiency or incompetence especially if they have urgent concerns. Making clients go through a lot of hassle or causing them inconvenience in any way will only compel them to leave your brand. In case something unexpected comes up that might make it difficult for you to fulfill your commitment with customers, ensure that you offer alternative solutions at the earliest possible time. Doing everything you can to deliver results within a given time period, further instills confidence in your company and it pleases customers even more.
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