“The customer doesn’t care how much you know until they know how much you care” – Damon Richards
What is the first thing that comes to mind when the words ‘Customer Service’ are introduced? Though answers may vary from people to people, there is one idea that rings as a universal truth for the majority of customers and business owners:
Customer service exists to deliver 100% customer satisfaction.
It may seem like a simple undertaking to fulfill, but the process it takes to deliver customer service that people will positively respond to is a lot more complicated and intricate than it seems. This leaves owners of startup businesses questioning whether providing the best customer service is truly possible.
Truth be told, there are 3 amazing, tried-and-tested tips that startup businesses can use to deliver the best customer service:
1. Listen
Listening is very important if business owners wish to deliver the best customer support among their competitors. The act of listening with an open ear and mind is a vital key that shows business owners are one with their customers.
The first step to ensuring that proper listening skills are exercised to all types of customer concerns is hiring support representatives with the right qualifications. Ideally, support representatives must have the ability to convey empathy and leave a positive impact on customers—the kind that will leave them satisfied and looking forward to another amazing experience with the next support representative that will correspond to their queries in the future.
The best support personnel is able to comply with customers’ requests, resolve varying levels of customer-related issues, and accept constructive feedback.
Customers come in different personalities. At the same time, customer demands differ from time to time. By consistently lending each customer query and feedback an open ear, it is not impossible to deliver high quality, round-the-clock assistance.
2. Maintain Customer Service Ethics
Picture the business as a person and customer service as its default disposition. It is every business’ responsibility to know the value of putting the customer first. A business cannot last long without a solid community of customers. They have the power to make or break a brand.
On the contrary, it cannot be denied that the slogan, “The customer is always right” can, at times, be abused by some customers—to the point where the business gets the short end of the stick for trying to appease customers who are obviously in the wrong.
However, not all customers abuse their limitations. There are still a great many customers who are able to provide objective criticism and honest-to-goodness feedback to the businesses that they support. These types of customers are to be considered a gem.
Customers who are able to provide unwavering support should be the reason why startup businesses need to exert efforts in delivering fast and reliable service every time a customer reaches out to them. Customers tend to get impatient whenever they are met with sluggish service. Seamless assistance and transaction should be practiced at all times.
Treat customers with respect and with full honesty. Make them feel comfortable when they are communicating with support representatives. Show them that that brand is a name they can trust. Enhancing the business’ reputation with good customer service ethics should be the first thing that startup businesses want to attain.
3. Connect
A support representative cannot be considered as one if people or customers find it difficult to connect with them. It is important to have a direct connection with the customers. Connecting positively with customers plays a vital role in all types of businesses.
Connecting with customers means knowing and understanding what their needs are. It likewise translates to consistently and promptly notifying them on updates about their requests and complaints. It is about being relentless in helping customers find the most suitable solution to their concerns.
Support representatives of startup businesses who are able to communicate well with their customers do not wait before customers complain about the same type of unresolved problem. That said, startup businesses need to make sure that their customer support services is always at its best to efficiently preempt additional questions relevant to the customer’s concern. This can help resolve the issue faster.
Bonus tip: Customer assistance with round-the-clock service availability is a must-have. There is no telling when exactly a customer will be in need of assistance. That is why, enabling 24/7 availability makes businesses better equipped to meet customer’s demands.
Customers are the reason why businesses exist. Without customers, there will be no profit or income. They are the lifeline of every business. Giving them the quality service that they deserve is crucial because it is one of the best ways brands can reciprocate their patronage.
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