Let us create a 3D eBook for you!
Let us create a 3d Digital eBook for you! DigyCat.com

 

Identify Your Silent Customer Service Message


With the growing number of people in every business sector,doing business requires creativity and ingenuity. Theentrepreneur that understands the importance of thinkingdifferently is the entrepreneur that sees their businessesgrowing. However, too many business owners are relying onthe old ways of doing or packaging their products and services. Whether retail or service oriented, old clichés and techniquesno longer work.

A recent trip to Universal Mall in Warren, Michigan, provided some great examples without having to look too hard. One store with glass displays cases had a two-inch by six-inch black and white engraved sign on every case stating "Please Do Not Lean On Glass." Behind the counter was a series of handwritten signs behind the telling customers such topics as their $15 service charge on all refunds, the need for a sales receipt and period for getting a refund, and the policy that all refunds are given in the form of a store credit.

Across the hall was a store celebrating their grand opening. Amid the celebratory flags welcoming people to the new store, was a sign disallowing food and drink in the store. At the back of the small store under another grand opening sign was another sign providing the charge applied for all returned checks. The sign, printed as a lower amount, had been alter with a black marker to $25 per check. Another store owner was busy in his cell phone in an obvious personal phone call, did stop talking briefly to ask a waiting customer, "What do you want?"

Despite the message they thought they were giving, the consistent message was "Don't do business here". Think about the message at the first store. Is the owner telling us that he is customer focused, selling quality products, and standing behind what he sold? Absolutely not! He is telling every customer that he has had such poor quality merchandise that he must address the tremendous number of returns he experiences. And what about those signs, perhaps "For your safety, please do not lean on glass". Then there is the new store: Have they already had problems with spilled drinks, crumbs, and bad checks? In fact, they have already had to change the returned check fee. Their signs, which are nothing more than disastrous clichés of unsuccessful past businesses are focused on the business owner, not the customer. These signs turn away business instead of building it.

Now let's talk about other entrepreneurs. Although networking still is the number one way to build business, traditional networking is proven to be discouraging to many entrepreneurs. Citing few or poor-quality referrals, many are looking for other ways of building business. In reality, referral groups are filled with entrepreneurs that know one or two people in most of the fields represented by others in their group. The referrals will always go to those with whom they have the closest relationship. Many have found groups like Max Impact's Catapult? (http://www.getmaximpact.com) or The President's Club offered through RHL Associates in Southfield (http://www.salesgohigher.com) to provide much better results. Some are also learning how to build their own groups of professionals that they form with complimentary goods and services providers. These individuals see their customer base growing as they are able to provide a more complete answer to the problems or pains of the customer. They are breaking with the "clichés" of old networking techniques and launching cutting edge relationships.

Leadership at all levels requires superior customer service. Leaders look at how they can meet their customer's needs by finding new ways to recruit them, making them feel appreciated and wanted, and building a long relationship that continually looks at creative ways to address needs on an ongoing basis.

Rick Weaver is President of Max Impact, a national leadership and organization development company based in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Rick is an accomplished business executive with experience in retail, market analysis, supply chain and project management, team building, and process improvement. He has worked with hundreds of companies to improve sales, processes, and bottom-line results. MaxImpact offers leadership and organizational development services along with employee assessments and background checks. Contact Rick at 248-802-6138 or via email, rick@getmaximpact.com. MaxImpact is on the web at http://www.getmaximpact.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

Customer Service - Google News

'Humorous' customer service workshop planned in Danville - WSLS


'Humorous' customer service workshop planned in Danville
WSLS
Considering the importance of quality customer service, the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce is offering a humorous, DVD-based training workshop called “The Guest†for members. This workshop will illustrate just how easy it is to offer ...

and more »

JD Power praises customer service by Verizon Wireless and Virgin Mobile, but ... - Going Cellular


JD Power praises customer service by Verizon Wireless and Virgin Mobile, but ...
Going Cellular
JD Power and Associates released their annual customer care rankings this month and the dubbed winners were Verizon Wireless (for contract service) and Virgin Mobile (for non-contract providers). Even more interesting is that it would appear that ...

and more »

TD Waterhouse, Desjardins Bank and Steinbach Credit Union Named Top Customer ... - San Francisco Chronicle (press release)


TD Waterhouse, Desjardins Bank and Steinbach Credit Union Named Top Customer ...
San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
It remains clear that the banking and credit union industries, who consistently preach customer service, are clearly in disarray when servicing its general email inbox" added LaCoste. Surviscor has four response level standards, platinum, gold, ...

and more »

Healdsburg Customer Services Get Thumbs Up - Patch.com


Healdsburg Customer Services Get Thumbs Up
Patch.com
"The presentation was part of our Pride in Public Service campaign," Pettus said. "We want to inform the City Council and public of the high level of service provided by city employees." The Customer Service survey evaluates employees in all ...

Women like customer service at Scholfield Honda - Kansas.com


Women like customer service at Scholfield Honda
Kansas.com
His Scholfield Honda has been recognized a couple of times recently for offering great customer service to women. On Wednesday, Forbes wrote about a survey that WomenCertified conducted last fall for Dealer Magazine, which Scholfield calls one of the ...

and more »

Acura of Las Vegas earns marks for customer service - Las Vegas Review-Journal


Acura of Las Vegas earns marks for customer service
Las Vegas Review-Journal
Celebrating Acura of Las Vegas' strong numbers in the Customer Service Index are, from left, Brad Garrett, service director; Tim Donnelly, general manager; Chris Biehl, general sales manager; and Louie Doblado, sales consultant. In the car business, ...

Apple's Customer Service Still Very Good, but Slipping - Tom's Guide


Apple's Customer Service Still Very Good, but Slipping
Tom's Guide
Market research firm Vocalabs has found that Apple has considerably slipped in its customer satisfaction scores for tech support between 2010 and 2011. In 2010, 22 percent of Apple users said they experienced problems with the automated (IVR) portion ...

KeyBank Continues to Receive Industry Recognition for Exceptional Customer Service - MarketWatch (press release)


KeyBank Continues to Receive Industry Recognition for Exceptional Customer Service
MarketWatch (press release)
9, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- KeyBank continues to receive industry recognition for exceptional client service by achieving a high ranking in overall customer satisfaction in the JD Power and Associates 2011 Small Business Bank Satisfaction Study.

and more »

Customer service still dogs Telstra - CIO Magazine


Sydney Morning Herald

Customer service still dogs Telstra
CIO Magazine
Telstra chief executive, David Thodey, has conceded that progress remains slow on improving the telco's customer service record, despite making it a top priority in the last 18 months. Speaking at an analyst briefing on the telco's financial results ...
Mobiles prop up Telstra bottom lineSydney Morning Herald
Telstra delivers revenue, profit and customer growth; guidance confirmedAIM Group
Telstra details benefits of social media service strategyTechnology Spectator
Sky News Australia -The Australian
all 274 news articles »

In Customer Service Push, Microsoft Invests In 24/7, Which Acquires Voxify - Wall Street Journal (blog)


Rediff

In Customer Service Push, Microsoft Invests In 24/7, Which Acquires Voxify
Wall Street Journal (blog)
By Deborah Gage People who are forced to engage in online chats with virtual customer service agents–or who are passed from agent to agent without getting their problems solved–are likely to get highly frustrated and take their business elsewhere.
Microsoft Joins Forces with 24/7 for Customer Service SoftwareITProPortal
Microsoft strikes deal with 24/7, promises to 'redefine' customer serviceEngadget
Microsoft Teams up With 24/7 for Customer Service SoftwarePCWorld
Destination CRM -Fox Business -The Seattle Times
all 58 news articles »

Click here for Best Buy In-Store Pickup

StreetSideAuto.com

Looking For Royalty Free Photos for your Website, Business or Advertising?

My Life Through The Lens

AusTrade Domain Is For Sale - $15,000 For Enquiries eMail Us

© www.AusTrade.biz 2011

home | site map | links

eXTReMe Tracker