Transform Dissatisfied Customers into Devoted Customers - Be Dramatically, Demonstrably Different...!!

Is the topic of customer service frequently discussed within the organization?
Are customer satisfaction, dissatisfaction, and ideas for improving customer service, topics for employee meetings, recognition programs, company newsletters, and discussed "openly" as a way of daily organizational life?
Does the environment within your organization convey customer-focused leadership?
Are employees told one thing, but see their leaders not "walking the talk?" Are the organizational policies customer-focused to satisfy customers, or do they tend to drive customers to competitors? 
 Are there customer service "standards" in place to clarify the desired level of performance?
There are often sales objectives and other quantifiable internal goals, but are there customer service standards to address what the customer sees, hears and experiences when doing business with your organization? How long should a customer have to wait to get a return telephone call, or to get the correct answer to a question? How should customers be greeted? What kind of "options" and alternatives should be offered to customers?
 How are customer complaints resolved?
What kind of "service recovery" (compensating the customer) currently exists when your organization makes a mistake, or the customer thinks you made a mistake? Are employees empowered to fix customer problems? Empowering employees not only builds their self-esteem, but also can expedite and alleviate a potentially poor customer experience. How cumbersome is the process for employees to satisfy disgruntled customers?
Does a recognition program exist that is based on satisfying the customer?
Many successful organizations, including Disney, have a culture where employees recognize other employees for not only satisfying "external" customers, but for satisfying "internal" customers. "Catch each other doing something right," and reward it. A reward may not necessarily be monetary, but some form of recognition, praise, or a simple "thank you." 
 Does your organization have an ongoing method for "listening" to front-line employees?
Does the organization value input from employees? Are there open discussions with employees to gather "their" suggestions, customer comments, and ideas for improvement? If not, you may be missing your closest contact with customers.
 What method does your organization use to get "feedback" from customers?
Is feedback gathered in-person from customers, over the telephone, or on a written feedback form? Do you have a process to measure customers' satisfaction with a particular "transaction, " as well as their over-all level of satisfaction with the organization? Do you actually know what customers "value," versus what youthink they value? Finally, is the customer feedback regularly shared with employees or kept hidden in the corporate office?

Do Sales Managers spend the necessary time giving feedback regarding performance? 

Feedback is needed not just once a year or quarterly, but continuously on a daily basis. Is there significantpositive feedback, or do you tend to miss the "99 things done right" and catch the "one thing done wrong?" If supervisors are trained in customer service and in coaching skills they can more successfully guide and develop employees' self-esteem, performance and satisfaction level.                                                                      What kinds of training have your front-line Sales Executives, Managers received?

Is an incorrect assumption made that everyone comes to their job with "top-notch" customer service, supervisory, and leadership skills? In all cases, there is always room for improvement in taking the organization to an even higher level of performance.                                                       Do front-line Executives know how to create a customer-focused experience?

 Do they understand the importance of making every customer contact a memorable, positive, and professional encounter? Do they understand how communication (verbal and nonverbal) impacts how customers perceive the organization' s receptiveness to their needs? Do those who answer customer calls know the proper telephone techniques to satisfy customers? Do all employees know the value of taking ownership for customer complaints?                                                                                                                                                                                                Does your leadership send a clear message of where we've been, where we're going, as well as gather employee input on how best to get there?

Is there ongoing communication with all employees during a process of organizational change, or are new organizational structures, processes and goals simply directives from management?                                                                                                                                                         Do Sales Managers understand their role in developing employees? 

Do your supervisors, new or experienced, understand relationships and how they influence (positively or negatively) employee performance? Is coaching a major focus of their job, or is sporadic feedback more common? Do supervisors set clear expectations (standards, policies, overall direction), provide constant feedback, and recognize accomplishment?

Customer Service Questions customer focused leadership Service standards recognition programs Customer satisfaction

About the author

Arun Kumar Davay

16K+ | Media/TV Talk Shows | Senior Management

India,Chennai

Hundreds of Television Shows on Entrepreneurship, Business, Marketing, Sales, ECommerce, Finance, Human Resource, Government Policies, Economic Scenario, Women Empowerment.

Read my other blogs


Comments

Leave a Comment: