By Julie Griffith, Chief Solutions Officer
Even though I have been a “professional” for several decades, I'll never forget the customer service skills I learned while working with customers in my teens. Regardless of my professional role—be it a Director or Executive—I've applied these universal skills to achieve effective, successful outcomes. Here are my top ten tips for leveraging customer service skills to get results in a professional setting:
👋 Greet Everyone: Make an effort to greet everyone in the room. Show hospitality, even when you're not the host of the meeting.
💖 Show You Care: It’s crucial that customers, clients, and staff know you care. Display your emotional intelligence and genuine concern for others.
📚 Be Knowledgeable: Always do your homework. Learn about the people and businesses for which you are engaging. If you're unsure about something, admit it, and seek clarification.
🕰️ Exercise Patience: Understand that some individuals may take longer to grasp concepts or might initially resist your approaches. Stay patient and composed.
🔍 Seek Feedback: No interaction or product is flawless. Always seek out and incorporate feedback to improve your communication and business practices.
👔 Maintain Professionalism: Sometimes, you may need to bite your tongue, but always remain professional, even during tense situations. Take an empathetic approach and acknowledge others' frustrations.
👍 Offer Solutions, Not Excuses: Focus on solutions rather than dwelling on problems. If you have a solution, present it without fanfare.
🌟 Lead by Example: Set a standard for your team. If you expect them to excel in communication, demonstrate these skills yourself.
😊 Stay Positive: Maintain a positive attitude as much as possible. Remember, your body language is also being observed, so ensure it aligns with your positive demeanor.
🙏 Apologize Effectively: Always apologize sincerely and provide clear steps to remedy the situation.
While my days of asking customers whether they prefer a paper or plastic bag are well behind me, I am eternally grateful for those early roles that instilled in me robust customer service skills, patience, and the knack for making customers happy. If your team requires assistance in evaluating your customer service communications, the Jasmin Group is ready to lend a hand. Reach out to us today for a consultation and start transforming your customer interactions!
