Customer serviceBasic concept of customer serviceBasic communication skills of dealing with customers

ReviewDo you think companies spend most of the time and energy attracting new customers or keeping existing customers? Which one is more crucial to a company, attracting new customers or keeping existing customers? Why?p.25How do you understand the idea of Customers are God?

Statistics: Advantages of keeping customers Repeat customers spend 33% more than new customers. It costs 6 times more to acquire a new customer than it does to keep an existing one.As little as a 5% increase in customer retention can increase profits by 25 to 95%.

Ladder of customer loyalty p.25

Strategies of building customer loyaltyBuilding brand equity - Brand loyalty (From a marketing point of view, brand equity is the measure of customer loyalty to a brand.) Creating customer satisfaction Creating and maintaining relationships - Customer service - CRM (customer relationship management)

I. Customer ServiceDiscussion: Sharing your experienceTalk with your partner about your most delightful or annoying experience with customer service as a customer.Refer to p.84

Discussion: What were the consequences of your delightful and annoying customer service experiences?

Facts about customer service80% of business leaders believe their companies are doing a good job in the way they treat customers.Only 8% of customers agree.

Facts about customer service54% to 70% of customers who complain will do business with you again if they feel their problem is resolved. That figure jumps to 95% if the customer feels the complaint has been resolved quickly.According to the above recent reports, outstanding customer service is now rated as being more important than low prices and quality products!

1. What is customer service?How a company deals with its consumers before, during and after a purchase or use of a service. A series of activities designed to enhance the level of customer satisfaction that is, the feeling that a product or service has met the customer expectation. A proactive attitude that can be summed up as: I care and I can do.

2. Why it matters?Businesses need to recognize:The benefits of having satisfied customers;The costs of having dissatisfied customers .

Readingp.86 Customer delight

3. Who offers it?Who gives customer service?Name some job rolesShop assistants (salespersons)ReceptionistsBank assistantsInsurance agentsFood serversBus driversCustomer service representatives

Link: Customer CareCustomer care centreCustomer care representative The two terms (customer service and customer care) are often used interchangeably. Customer care is the application of customer service.

3. Who offers customer service?Excellent customer service can only be achieved by training all employees, even those who do not have direct contact with customers.Happy employees make happy customers.

4. How to offer customer service?Listening: - p.89

4. How to offer customer service? Discussion: What rules for good customer service can you summarize?

4. How to offer customer service?Excellent customer service is the ability of an organization to constantly and consistently exceed the customer's expectations. Its all about attitude and skills.

Rules for good customer serviceAnswer your phoneMake sure that someone is picking up the phone when someone calls your business. Dont make promises unless you WILL keep themListen to your customersLet your customer talk and show him that you are listening by making the appropriate responses, such as suggesting how to solve the problem . Deal with complaints Be helpful, courteous, and knowledgeable

Communication skills of dealing with complaints Customer complaints p.85, Book 4Telephone complaints p.131, Book 3Handling difficult situations p.43, Book 4 Resolving conflict p.73, Book 4 Active listening p.89, Book 4

Words & phrases that damage customer relationshipYou dont understand.I dont know. I cantYou dont see my point. Hold on (or hang on) a second. Our policy says (or prohibits)Thats not my job/responsibility.You must/shouldYoull have toWhat you need to do isWhats your problem?Why dont you?I never saidIll find out for you; Ill need to check on that and get back to you; Ill have to look that up, when is a good time for me to call you back?

Words & phrases that build customer relationshipPlease.Thank you.I can/willHow may I help?I was wrong.Youre right.I understand how you feel.May I ? / Could we try ?Have you considered Im sorry for Its my/our fault.What do you think?Would you mind?

Express empathy to customersUse empathic phrases: I can see why you feel that wayI see what you meanThat must be very upsettingI understand how frustrating this must beIm sorry about thisAlways say youre sorry

Excellent customer serviceStudy these winners Customer service stars: 2009 BusinessWeek Top 25 http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/02/0219_customer_service/1.htm

Customer service & CRMCRM is useful for customer service. Businesses can use automated CRM applications to analyze customer complaints, or compliments, and change the business processes accordingly. Interestingly enough, CRM products also run many automated call-centers for businesses (i.e. customer service systems). CRM applications and practices are used to make businesses more efficient and improve customer satisfaction.

Role play (work in pairs)You have bought a cell phone and its broken after only one week and youre very angry about products not being made to last anymore. You want the salesperson to do something immediately. She is offering you a replacement and you want a refund.

HomeworkListening pp.84-85Case study p.90

Appendix How to deal with different types of customers?

The talkative customerAsk closed questionsLimit the time available for them to interrupt (dont have long pauses)Provide minimal responseSmile and be pleasant, but dont encourage themWind up thank them for coming, walk them to the door but dont be rude or dismissive

The angry customerListen carefully without interrupting so you understand the problemEmpathize in a broad wayStay calm and remain politeDont escalate the problemDont take it personally, be defensive or blame othersPropose an action plan and follow itSeek support if you are scared, if you cant agree on a solution or if the customer asks to see whoevers in charge

The know it all customerAcknowledge what they sayCompliment them on their researchBe generous with praiseDont put them in their place no matter how temptingDont try to be smart you cant win!Ask them questions and use them to improve your knowledge

The indecisive customerFind out what they really wantAsk them for the optionsReflect back to them what theyve saidAssume control gently and point out the best course of action from what theyve told you they needBe logicalConfirm a plan of action with themMaybe even put it in writing

The suspicious customerEstablish your credibilityEnsure you know your product or serviceThey will try and catch you out so dont guess or tell them something youre not sure ofBe careful what you sayBe politeDont take it personally, they dont trust anyone!