Customer service is not a department, it’s an attitude.

September 29 2009No Commented

Categorized Under: My Thoughts

Customer Service Comic

One of my all-time favorite quotes is….”Customer service is not a department, it’s an attitude.”
How true it is! As much as we try to complicate what great service is…it’s really pretty simple: It is giving more than the customer expects…consistently. You notice I said simple, not easy. There is a big difference.
Today, to celebrate Customer Service Week (October 5-11) . I’d like to share a chapter I titled: “A Crash Course on Customer Service.”
Excerpt from
Customer Love,
by Mac Anderson
The 10 phrases from my friends at Walk the Talk are an illuminating reminder of how uncomplicated it is to make customers feel loved. People don’t care how much you know, (or what you sell, or what type of service you provide) until they know how much you care!
The 10 most important words:
“I apologize for our mistake. Let me make it right.”
When something goes wrong, most people merely want to be heard and acknowledged. So listen, apologize, then ask what you can do to make it right.
The 9 most important words:
“Thank you for your business. Please come back again.”
Repeat customers cost less than new customers and are often more loyal.
The 8 most important words:
“I’m not sure, but I will find out.”
It’s ok if you don’t know the answer; it’s not ok to make the customer keep searching for it. That’s your job.
The 7 most important words:
“What else can I do for you?”
Be prepared to go the extra mile, there is less competition there.
The 6 most important words:
“What is most convenient for you?”
Your customers will be pleasantly surprised when you ask what’s convenient for them.
The 5 most important words:
“How may I serve you?”
This question reinforces your role in the relationship. Play that role the best you can.
The 4 most important words:
“How did we do?”
Feedback is critical! Your customers have a unique perspective and they appreciate being asked.
The 3 most important words:
“Glad you’re here!”
Customers who feel welcome spend more time, more money and are more likely to return.
The 2 most important words:
“Thank you.”
Basic manners… but how often do you get thanked when you’re the customer?
The MOST important word:
“Yes.”
Become a yes person.

As hard as other people try to complicate what great service is, in my mind it’s really quite simple – it’s just about giving more than what your consumers expect – CONSISTENTLY.

Mind you I said the theory is simple, not easy.  There’s a world of difference between the two.

Here are a few phrases which I have encountered from other service providers which made me feel I am loved as a client. I figured we should all be able to benefit from these, since we’re all in the industry of sales and marketing (in one way or another.)

“We’re very sorry for the mistake. Let us make it right.”

When things go wrong, most people merely want to be heard and acknowledged. So listen, apologize, then ask what you can do to make it right.

“Thank you for your business. Please come back again.”

Repeat customers cost less than new customers and are often more loyal.

“I’m not sure, but I will find out.”

It’s ok if you don’t know the answer; it’s not ok to make the customer keep searching for it. That’s your job.

“What else can I do for you?”

Be prepared to go the extra mile, there is less competition there.

“What is most convenient for you?”

Your customers will be pleasantly surprised when you ask what’s convenient for them.

“How may I serve you?”

This question reinforces your role in the relationship. Play that role the best you can.

“How did we do?”

Feedback is critical! Your customers have a unique perspective and they appreciate being asked.

“Glad you’re here!”

Customers who feel welcome spend more time, more money and are more likely to return.

“Thank you!”

Basic manners should be included in day to day protocol when handling customer service tickets (in our case it’s OSticket, hahaha.)

Most importantly, there’s -

“Yes.”

Becoming a yes person unlocks a multitude of possibilities for you in terms of customer retention. :) Oftentimes, a client who is satisfied with how well you’ve been able to follow-through a CS ticket will become the best marketer you can ever have – someone you will never have to pay who will serve as a living testimonial of how well you do your work.

Leave a Reply