The Four Minute Break

This post is a bit off the typical track of customer service. But, please take the time to read it as it is very worthwhile. My friend Ricky Kalmon is a professional hypnotist. He has an amazing show that he does at corporate events all over the world. He made a few comments recently that I think apply to all of us, especially those involved in customer service.

No matter how much we enjoy our jobs, we all need a break now and then. We look forward to those ten or fifteen minutes and the opportunity to step away from the tasks at hand so we can rest, rejuvenate and fuel our minds and bodies. Ricky says, “My experience has taught me, however, that it’s not so much how much time we have, but how we use the time we’re given.” Further to the point, Ricky suggests that in customer service and support, as in any other career, people perform at their best when they’re rested and free from stress and outside pressures. So, he suggests that during your next break you to take a vacation—a vacation of the mind. In four short minutes, his Subconscious Makeover™ technique will take you to a calm place where you can reduce stress and pressure, while gaining focus, confidence and the energy you need to perform at your very best.

Give yourself four minutes today to relax, reduce stress, and create a clear pathway for success. Find a quiet place where you can sit and relax. Close your eyes and imagine a calm, peaceful place—a park, the beach, or any place that invites relaxation. Breathe in, slowly and deeply, envisioning yourself in this place, free from stress, schedules and worries. Exhale fully, cleansing your body of outside chatter and pressures. Continue breathing, relaxing more and more with each breath. Feel yourself fall further and further into a deep, relaxing state. Once you’re fully relaxed, feed your subconscious with new and empowering thoughts and affirmations which are aligned with your goals. I am free of stress…I am confident and committed to my career goals…I am free of distractions and have control of my thoughts. Whatever your goals are, affirm them during this state of deep relaxation. After four minutes, slowly open your eyes, letting your breathing return to normal. You’ll feel relaxed, refreshed and energized. Your subconscious will start to use the suggestions you placed in your mind to create the change you want. You’ll see results the first time, but as you repeat your four-minute vacation of the mind, it will become more effective and so will you.

I’m recommending a set of audio CD’s that Ricky has created to help reduce stress and build energy. Go to http://www.RickyKalmon.com/store/insideSalesP.html.

Shep Hyken, CSP CPAE is a professional speaker and Wall Street Journal best-selling 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 (http://www.TheCustomerFocus.com).

Copyright © 2010, Shep Hyken -- http://www.hyken.com-- (314)692-2200

Customer Service Training Tip - FAQ #2
The Difference Between Customer Service and Customer Loyalty

Here is the second of ten frequently asked questions about customer service. I’m posting them one at a time and hope that readers of this blog will comment or share their answer to these questions. Here’s question number two…

What’s the difference between customer service and customer loyalty?

Customer service is what you and your organization provide. Customer loyalty is the result of the service. I have a simple customer loyalty formula:

Great customer service (what you provide) + Confidence (which comes from the customer’s predictable experience) = Customer Loyalty (potentially)

Shep Hyken, CSP CPAE is a professional speaker and Wall Street Journal best-selling 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: http://www.hyken.com – Click here for information on The Customer Focus™ customer service training programs (http://www.TheCustomerFocus.com).
Copyright © 2010, Shep Hyken -- http://www.hyken.com-- (314)692-2200

Customer Service Training Tips - FAQ #1

This blog post has the first of ten frequently asked questions about customer service. I’m going to post them one at a time and hope that readers of this blog will comment or share their answer to these questions. Here’s the first one…

What is customer service?

The simple answer is that customer service is how an organization or individual delivers what they sell to the customer. That said there is much that goes into delivering good customer service. More than just the way a person or organization delivers what they sell, it is really customers that define service, which is the experience and value they receive as a result of doing business with a company. Any definition of the term customer service is almost irrelevant, as it is the customer’s perception that really defines your customer service.

Shep Hyken, CSP CPAE is a professional speaker and Wall Street Journal best-selling 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: http://www.hyken.com – Click here for information on The Customer Focus™ customer service training programs (www.TheCustomerFocus.com).

Copyright © 2010, Shep Hyken -- http://www.hyken.com-- (314)692-2200