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* Use inflection in your voice (avoid sounding monotone) * Don’t use “whatever,” “yeah, right,” “if you say so”
3. Check your body language Make sure your body language is saying to customer, “I want to help you.” Make sure you are doing following:
* Smile * Stand erect * Hands at your side, but never on your hips * Avoid leaning against counter or slouching in chair (especially while speaking on telephone as customer can hear your disinterest) * Look and act alive
4. Show Empathy (Understand Pain) Show customers that you understand their “pain.” Make comments such as
“I can understand why you would feel that way.” “If I were in your shoes I would feel same way” “I would be disappointed, too, if that happened to me.”
Most customers just want to be listened to and understood. Show them that you understand their “pain” and solution come much earlier.
5. Commit to Action Let customer know that action will be taken; and then act. One without other is just a broken promise. Share with customer your clear plan of action such as following:
“I am personally going to take care of this for you. What we are going to do is…”
“I need to get additional information before I take care of this for you. I am going to talk with my manager. Would you mind waiting?”
These are just some of tools you can use to keep your customers happy and increase revenues. Apply them today to show that you care about your customers.
Ed Sykes is a professional speaker, author, and success coach in the areas of leadership, motivation, stress management, customer service, and team building. You can e-mail him at mailto:esykes@thesykesgrp.com, or call him at (757) 427-7032. Go to his web site, http://www.thesykesgrp.com, and signup for the newsletter, OnPoint, and receive the free ebook, "Secrets, Stories, and Tips for Marvelous Customer Service."