Managing Customer Service - Presentation Transcript

1. Managing Customer Service

2. Contents :
o Understanding Quality Service and Service Culture
o Key Skills for Quality Customer Service
o Addressing Customer Different Behavior Style
o Steps to Resolve Service Breakdown
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4. Those with a positive attitude and a cheerful outlook Those who can allow customers to be right (even on
the occasions when they are not) Those who genuinely enjoy working with and for other people Those with
the ability to put the customer on “center stage” Those who view their job primarily as a human relations
profession Service Winners…..
5. Service is….
o Customers in a restaurant want more than a meal
o Guests in hotels want more than a room
o Client in a transaction want more than a settlement
o Customer want more that just the product or service that is offered – they also want to be
treated well
6. Service is Intangible Service is intangible Intangibles deal with the human side of an organization They
include human emotions, behaviors, understandings, feelings, and perceptions
7. Service is Intangible Examples of customer service intangible :
o Satisfaction
o Attentiveness
o Flow
o Helpfulness
o Sensitivity
o Tone
o Attitude
o Knowledge
o Understanding
o Tact
o Guidance
8. Service The procedural dimension Consist of the established systems and procedures to deliver products
and/or services The personal dimension How service providers (using their attitudes, behaviors, and verbal
skills) interact with customers Two Dimensions of Service
9. Two Dimensions of Service The Freezer Low in both personal and procedural service. Motto : “We don’t
care” The Friendly Zoo Bad in procedural service, good in personal service. Motto : “We are trying hard, but
don’t really know what we are doing” The Factory Good in procedural service, bad in personal service. Motto
: “You are number. We are here to process you” Quality Customer Service Excellent in both the personal
and procedural dimensions. Motto : ‘We care and we deliver”
10. Key Elements of Quality Service
11. Assurance Five Elements of Quality Service Tangible Empathy Responsiveness Reliability
12. Five Elements of Quality Service Reliability
o The ability to provide what was promised, dependably and accurately
o Action strategy : make sure that you correctly identify customer needs, promise only what you
can deliver, and follow through to ensure that the product or service was received as promised
13. Five Elements of Quality Service Assurance
o The knowledge and courtesy of employees, and their ability to convey trust and confidence
o Action strategy : take the time to serve customers one at a time. Provide service assertively by
using positive communication techniques and describing products and services accurately
14. Five Elements of Quality Service Tangible
o The physical facilities and equipment and the appearance of personnel
 o Action strategy : maintain workspaces in a neat, orderly manner, dress professionally, and
maintain excellent grooming and hygiene standards
15. Five Elements of Quality Service Empathy
o The degree of caring and individual attention provided to customers
o Action strategy : listen for emotions in your customers’ messages. Put yourself in their place and
respond compassionately by offering service to address their needs and concerns
16. Five Elements of Quality Service Responsiveness
o The willingness to help customers and provide prompt services
o Action strategy : project a positive, can-do attitude. Take immediate steps to help customers and
satisfy their needs
17. Service Culture Components Delivery System Training Motivators and reward Employee roles and
expectations Policies and procedures Management support Service mission SERVICE CULTURE Products
and services
18. Service Culture Components Service mission Products and services The direction or vision of an
organization that supports day-to-day interaction with the customer The material, products, and services that
are state of the art, competitively priced, and meet the needs of customers
19. Service Culture Components Delivery System Training Motivators and reward The way an organization
deliver its products and services Instruction or information provided through a variety of techniques that
teach knowledge or skills, or attempt to influence employee attitude toward excellent service delivery
Monetary rewards, material items, of feedback that prompts employees to continue to deliver service and
perform at a high level of effectiveness and efficiency
20. Service Culture Components The specific measures that indicates what is expected of employees in
customer interactions and that define how employee service performance will be evaluated The guidelines
that establish how various situations of transactions will be handled The availability of management to
answer questions and assist frontline employees in customer interaction when necessary Employee roles
and expectations Policies and procedures Management support
21. Key Skills for Quality Customer Service
22. Know Your Organization Know Your Product/Service Know Your Customer Customer Service Person What
You Should Know?
23. Know Your Organization Know Your Organization
o Organization mission and vision
o Organization culture
o Customer interaction policy and procedures
o Company support for product/service
24. Know Your Product/Service Know Your Product/Service
o Product /service development and quality improvement process
o Product/service configuration
o Performance data and specification
o Maintenance and care
o Price and delivery
25. Know Your CUSTOMERS Know Your Customers
o Customer Needs
o Customer Concerns
o Customer Personality
26. Developing Excellent Communication with Customers Excellent Verbal Communication Skills Excellent Non-
Verbal Communication Skills Excellent Listening Skills Productive Relationship with Customers
27.
o Plan your messages
o Greet customer warmly and sincerely
o Be specific
o Use “small talk”
o Use simple language
o Paraphrase

Excellent Verbal Communication with Customers Communicating positively…..

 28.
o Ask positively phrased question ( Instead, “Why do you feel that way” , use: What makes you
feel that way? Instead, Why do you want that color, use : What other colors have you considered?)
o Communicate to your customer’s style
o Agree with customers
o Solicit customer feedback and participation

Excellent Verbal Communication with Customers Communicating positively…..

29. Words and phrases that build relationship: Please Thank you I can or will How may I help? I understand how
you feel You’re right May I Would you mind….. I apologize for…. Excellent Verbal Communication with
Customers Communicating positively…..
30. Words and phrases that damage relationship: You don’t understand You don’s see my point Hold on a
second Our policy says (or prohibits) That’s not my responsibility What you need to do is….. Why don’t you
The word “problem” The word “but” The word “no” Excellent Verbal Communication with Customers
Avoiding negative communication
31. Six C of giving good information to customers Clear Concise Courteous Complete Correct Concrete
Excellent Verbal Communication with Customers
32. Non Verbal Communication with Customers Non Verbal Behavior Body language Volume Cues Appearance
and Grooming Miscellaneous Cues
33. Non Verbal Communication with Customers Body language Volume Cue
o Eye contact
o Posture
o Facial expression
o Gestures
o Pitch
o Volume
o Rate of speech
o Voice quality
o Articulation
o Pauses
o Silence
34. Non Verbal Communication with Customers Appearance and Grooming Miscellaneous cues
o Hygiene ( regular washing and combing of hair, use of mouthwash and deodorant )
o Clothing and accessories
o Personal habits
o Proper etiquette and manners
35. Eye contact, posture, facial expression, gestures
o Brief eye contact
o Eyes wide open
o Smiling
o Nodding affirmatively
o Expressive body gestures
o Open body stance
o Listening actively
o Remaining silent as customer speaks
o Gesturing with open hand
o Clean, organize work area
o Yawning
o Frowning or sneering
o Attending to matters other than the customer
o Leaning away from customers as he/she speaks
o Subdued or Minimal hand gestures
o Staring blankly or coolly at customers
o Interrupting
o Pointing finger or object at customer
 o Disorganized, cluttered work space

Positive Negative Positive and Negative Communication Behavior

36. Characteristics of Good Listener

o Empathy
o Understanding
o Patience
o Attentiveness
o Objectivity

Good Listener

37. Strategies for Improved Listening

o Stop talking !
o Prepare yourself
o Listen actively
o Show willingness to listen
o Show empathy
o Send positive nonverbal cues
o Don’t argue
o Ask questions
38. To listen more effectively….. Attend physically – the right body language helps us to focus on the customer
and encourages the customer to give us more information Attend mentally – follow the customer’s flow of
thought, listen to understand, not evaluate; listen first, then assess Check it verbally – paraphrase, clarify,
probe further, summarize your understanding
39. Dealing Assertively with Customers
o Look customers in the eyes as you speak
o Grasp firmly without crushing
o Think, plan, speak a specific question
o Stop, gather thoughts, speak
o Apologize if you make a mistake
o Increase volume, sound firm and convincing
o Take responsibility, resolve the problem
40. Customer Focused Behavior
o Act promptly
o Guide rather than direct
o Don’t rush customer
o Offer assistance
o Don’t keep customer waiting
o Avoid unprofessional actions

Customer focused behavior

41. Addressing Customer Needs and Behavior Style

42. Addressing Customer Needs To Feel Welcome To Feel Comfortable To Be Understood To Feel Appreciated
To Feel Important To Be Respected Customer Needs
43. Addressing Customer Needs To Feel Welcome To Feel Comfortable To Be Understood Use an enthusiastic
greeting, smile, use the customer’s name, thank the customer, be positive Listen actively, paraphrase, ask
key question, give positive feedback, empathize Use an enthusiastic welcome, relieve anxiety through
friendly communication, explain your action calmly, ensure physical comfort
44. To Feel Appreciated To Feel Important To Be Respected Thank the customer, follow up, go beyond service
expectations, provide “special” offers, remember special details about the customer Use the customer’s
name, give special treatment when possible, elicit opinions Listen, don’t interrupt, acknowledge the
 customer’s emotions and concerns, take time to serve, ask advice, elicit feedback Addressing Customer
Needs
45. Four Styles of Behavior Dominance Influencing Steadiness Compliance
46. Four Styles of Behavior Dominance
o Appears to be quite busy
o May give the impression of not listening
o Displays a serious attitude
o Voices strong opinions

Influencing

o Appears quite active

o Takes social initiatives in most cases
o Likes to encourage informality
o Expresses emotional opinions (feelings)
47. Four Styles of Behavior Steadiness Compliance
o Give the appearance of being quiet and reserved
o Listen attentively to other people
o Tend to avoid the use of power
o Make decisions in a thoughtful and deliberate manner
o Control emotional expressions
o Displays a preference for orderliness
o Tends to express measured opinions
o Sees difficult to get to know
48. Strategies to Deal with Dominance Person Dominance
o Keep the relationship a businesslike as possible
o Develop strong personal relationship is not a high priority for dominance person
o Be as efficient, time disciplined, and well organized as possible
o Provide appropriate facts, figures, and success probabilities
o Try to identify their primary objectives and then determine ways to support with these objectives
49. Strategies to Deal with Influencing Person Influencing
o Be enthusiastic
o Avoid an approach that is too stiff and formal
o Take time to establish goodwill and build relationship
o Do not place too much emphasis on the facts and details
o Plan actions that will provide support for their opinions, ideas and dreams
o Maintain good eye contact
o Be a good listener
50. Strategies to Deal with Steadiness Person Steadiness
o Take time to build a social relationship with the steadiness person
o Spend time learning about the things that are important in this individual’s life
o Provide personal assurance and support for their views
o If you disagree with a steadiness person, cur the desire to disagree assertively; steadiness
person dislike interpersonal conflict
o Give them the time to comprehend your explanation/responses. Patience is important
51. Strategies to Deal with Steadiness Person Compliance
o Provide a thoughtful, well organized approach
o Take a no-nonsense, businesslike approach
o Use specific questions that show clear direction
o Provide detailed and comprehensive information
o Never pressure the compliance person to make quick decisions
52. Resolving Service Breakdown
53. Service Breakdown Service breakdowns occur whenever any product or service fail to meet the customer’s
expectations
54. Service Recovery Strategy Express respect Listen to understand Uncover the expectations Outline the
solutions Take action and follow through Double check for satisfaction
 55. Service Recovery Strategy Express respect Listen to understand Uncover the expectations "What you
are telling me I important” Listen carefully; empathize with the customer; and do not make excuses or
interruption “ Please tell me what happened” “ Will you please tell me what you feel need to be done?”
56. Service Recovery Strategy “ I will take this action” or “You have several choices” “ You refund has been
requested. I will personally check with accounting to ensure your check goes out Friday” “ I am following up
to make sure your check arrived” Outline the solutions Take action and follow through Double check for
satisfaction
57. Roadblock to Service Recovery
o Not listening
o Lack of respect
o Inadequate materials or supporting equipment
o Poor or inadequate communication
o Lack of training
o Work conflict
58. Dealing with Difficult People
o Don’t take it personally
o Remain calm, listen carefully
o Focus on the problem, not the person
o Reward yourself for turning a difficult customer into a happy one
o When all else fail, ask for help
59. Recommended Further Readings:
o Robert W. Lucas, Customer Service : Skills and Concepts for Success , McGraw Hill
o William B. Martin, Quality Customer Service , Crisp Publication
60. End of Material