Training for Customer Service

In sports, repetitive training creates memory that is put into action during the game. For example, a tennis pro will practice a particular shot, from a particular place on the court, thousands of times. Once in the game, when the pro is given the opportunity to take that shot, from that exact place, muscle memory takes over and the shot is executed, hopefully to perfection.

This is also possible in delivering outstanding customer service. Take a look at many of the top customer service providers in the world and note that they all have a system. They mix skills training with technology to enhance the customer experience. For lack of a better term, it is scripted. Not the spoken words, but the system. Even a system can help create a warm experience, help humanize a situation and make the norm seem special or spontaneous.

Yet remember that no matter how good the system is, the people working and practicing the system must still have the right attitude when dealing directly with the customer. The best system in the world won’t make up for an employee with a bad attitude.

Shep Hyken, CSP is a professional speaker and author who works with companies who want to develop loyal relationships with their customers and employees. For more information on Shep's speaking programs, books, tapes and learning programs please contact (314) 692-2200. Email: shep@hyken.com – Web: www.hyken.com – Click here for information on The Customer Focus™ customer service training programs (www.TheCustomerFocus.com).

The Customer is Not Always Right

I’ve written about this many times. In the September 2006 issue of Fast Company, Danny Meyer, the famous New York City restaurateur, was interviewed. Fast Company asked Danny a very direct question, and his answer was refreshingly direct. The asked, “So do you impress on your staff tha the customer is always right?”

Danny’s response was, “The customer isn’t always right. Sometimes the staff is.”

Danny went on to explain that one of the concepts he instills on his staff is making sure people feel heard. He said, “People don’t need to feel agreed with, so long as they know you took it in, looked them in the eye and were thoughtful in the process.”

What he is saying is what I’ve been preaching for years. The customer is not always right, but they are the customer. So if they are wrong, let them be wrong with dignity and respect.

Shep Hyken, CSP is a professional speaker and author who works with companies who want to develop loyal relationships with their customers and employees. For more information on Shep's speaking programs, books, tapes and learning programs please contact (314) 692-2200. Email: shep@hyken.com – Web: www.hyken.com – Click here for information on The Customer Focus™ customer service training programs (www.TheCustomerFocus.com).